§ Mr. STUART-WORTLEYasked the Postmaster-General, whether it has been 40 the practice to allow to owners of Transatlantic mail steamers changing their course or reducing speed to avoid icebergs the benefit of the saving clause in their mail contracts which exempts them from deductions from Post Office subsidies when, in consequence of unavoidable delays, the contract time has been exceeded?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELIn the mail contracts with the Transatlantic shipping companies no time is specified within which the voyages must be completed. The conditions with respect to speed which are included in the contracts with the Cunard and White Star Companies are as follows:—"The mail ships shall be the largest and fastest of the steamships for the time being belonging to or chartered by the company. The company and their officers and servants shall use their best endeavours to complete the voyage of each mail ship within the shortest possible time consistent with prudent navigation." There are, therefore, no deductions of the character mentioned in the question.