§ 8. Mr. D. GRENFELLasked the Secretary of State for India what are the conditions governing the mail contract between the Government of India and the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company for the carrying of mails between India and this country; and whether, either by the terms of the contract or by convention, the Government of India wall consider making the inclusion of a quota of Indian personnel in the crew a requirement for the continuation of the contract?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)I have been asked to reply to this question as the conveyance of the mails between India and this country in both directions is performed under contract between the British Post Office and the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company. The contract provides that the master and officers and at least three-fourths of the crew of every mailship shall be British subjects, and in practice, owing to the climatic conditions, at least half the crew are Indian natives.
§ 11. Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India has contracts with any steamship company other than the Peninsular and Orient Steamship Company for the carrying of overseas mails; and, if so, whether he will state the names of these companies and the amounts paid in respect of these contracts?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe contract for the Eastern Mail Service is between the Postmaster-General, not the Government of India, and the Peninsular and Oriental Steamship Company. Detailed information in regard to the arrangements of the Government of India with other shipping companies for the conveyance of mails is published in Appendix XI to the Annual Report of the Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.