§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY,after stating that this noble Friend Lord Clanricarde had given notice of the following Motion:—
To move for a copy of the contract entered into last summer by her Majesty's Government with Mr. Cunard for the conveyance of mails to and from the Continent of America, and copies of all previous contracts entered into by her Majesty's Government for a similar object from the year 1839 inclusive; copies of any communication from the Admiralty or Post Office departments to the Treasury relating to those contracts; also, copies of any tenders for the conveyance of mails to any part of America from an Irish port, received within the last two months by Her Majesty's Government; and of any letters or memorials from individuals or from public bodies in support of such tender, or in favour of the despatch of American mails from any port in Ireland; and also, a copy of the Report made by the Commissioners lately instructed to examine the capabilities and requirements of the port and harbour of Galway"—inquired whether any contract for the conveyance of the American mails viâ Galway had been entered into?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYreplied that Her Majesty's Government had not at present entered into any definitive contract for making Galway the port of departure for the mails. A proposition, however, had been submitted to the Treasury by one of the Atlantic steam companies for a regular fortnightly service from Galway to some port in North America. That proposition was under consideration upon the terms submitted by the company; but the Lords of the Treasury had, of course, reserved to themselves the power, before any arrangement was concluded, of making the fullest inquiry as to the extent of the benefits to be obtained from such communication, and the solvency of the company. Security would also be required for the carrying out of the conditions of the contract in the adequate manner in which it was now performed by the Cunard Company.