§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEsaid, the public was naturally very anxious to know the particulars of the new Contract which had been formed for the conveyance of Her Majesty's mails between Galway and America, and had a right to expect that information would be given on that subject. He therefore asked the noble Lord the Postmaster General, Whether the Contract was to be simply a Resumption of the old Contract, or whether it was intended to introduce any and what Modifications therein; whether the Rate of Speed originally stipulated was still to be exacted; and also whether a Copy of the Contract would be 855 laid upon the table of the House of Commons before the introduction of the Estimate for the Mail Packet Service?
§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYsaid, the matter was in the same position as when a question was put with reference to it on a previous occasion. The terms of the new contract would be the same as the previous one in regard to the speed and capabilities of the vessels engaged in the service. He agreed with the noble Earl that the public had a right to full information on the subject, and a copy of the contract would be submitted before the Vote was taken in the other House.