4. SirNICHOLAS GRATTON-DOYLEasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the important advantages offered to India by the projected new Imperial line of fast steamships in reducing the mail transit time between England and Bombay by five days and the all-sea voyage between England and Bombay by seven days, and providing for the first time a fortnightly service of fast ships between Australia and India, offering facilities for a rapid growth in trade between those countries; and whether, in view of the benefits offered by a group, including sonic of the foremost shipbuilding experts in England, he is in a position to give an assurance that the Imperial and Indian Govern- 1523 ments will extend to the scheme the fullest co-operation possible with the Australian Commonwealth Government?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe proposals referred to are under the consideration of a Committee of the Imperial Conference, and my Noble Friend is therefore not at present in a position to give any indication as to any action which His Majesty's Government or the Government of India may take in the matter.