§ Captain DONELANasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Cunard Steamship Company are having a contract placed for the construction of another ship of the "Mauretania" class; whether the Government have been consulted as to the suitability of the projected ship for the Transatlantic mail service, and the ports she will be required to call at in order to give the best service to Great Britain and Ireland with both homeward-bound and outward-bound mails; whether the Government propose to subsidise this ship in the same way as the "Lusitania" and "Mauretania"; and, if so, whether Parliament will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the question of the present service rendered by the subsidised ships of the Cunard Company, especially in its relation to Ireland, Scotland, and the North of England, before any new contract is entered into or further subsidy given by the Government to the Cunard Company?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe Government has no knowledge of any such contract having been placed by the Cunard Company except in so far as the matter has been referred to in the Press.
§ Captain DONELANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether steps will be taken with the view of ensuring that in future no subsidy shall be granted to the Cunard Company except in respect of ships which serve Irish interests as well as English interests by calling at Queens-town on the homeward as well as the outward voyage?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe question of the subsidy has not now arisen, but when it does arise the hon. Gentleman's representations will be considered.
§ Captain DONELANWill the right hon. Gentleman consider that Ireland at present receives no advantage whatever from her contribution in respect of the Cunard Company's mail contract?
§ Mr. HAZLETONWill the right hon. Gentleman state on what date the question of the subsidy will arise?
§ Mr. SAMUELThat question should be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade. The question of subsidising does not arise in my Department.