§ 9. Mr. McENTEEasked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India will consider the advisability of inviting open tenders for the carriage of mails by sea when the present contract expires; and, if so, whether he will request the Government to give preference to an Indian company satisfying the conditions laid down by the External Capital Committee and the Indian Mercantile Marine Committee, respectively?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe contract for the Eastern Mail Service, to which the hon. Member presumably refers, is between the Postmaster-General, not the Government of India, and the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. When the existing arrangements come to an end, all relevant factors will, of course, be considered,