§ 7. Mr. GILBERTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India make any payments to British mail steamers which carry Indian mails; if so, what amount is paid annually and to which steamship companies: and for what term of years the agreement is in force?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Mr. Neville Chamberlain)I have been asked to reply to this question. I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the weekly mail despatched from India to Europe generally. A contribution to the contract payment made by the British Post Office to the Peninsular and Oriental Company for this service is receivable from the Government of India. I am unable to state the annual amount, as the matter is at present under discussion with the Indian Government. The contract is now terminable by two years' notice given on the 31st January.