HC Deb 07 April 1913 vol 51 cc795-6
39. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the amount of subsidies agreed to be paid to the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company by the imperial Government for the conveyance of mails, under contracts entered into during the period when the Earl of Selborne was Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies and First Lord of the Admiralty?

14. Mr. KING

asked the Postmaster-General the amount paid for the conveyance of mails by the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company during the years when the Earl of Selborne was a Member of the Government?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Herbert Samuel)

The sums payable for the conveyance of oversea mails are stated in the contracts which are sub- mitted for the approval of the House of Commons. I would refer my hon. Friend to House of Commons Papers, 259 of 1897 and 328 of 1904.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

During the period in question was the subsidy for the China and Oriental mails raised by £10,000 per annum?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I would like to have notice of that. I think that there was some increase and decreases also.

Mr. KING

In view of the interest in this class of subject at present, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the issue of a Return or Paper going back a great number of years and giving all these…

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice.