QUESTION. (Hansard, 6 March 1863)

§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
rose to ask the Postmaster General, Whether, in 1126 connection with the proposed Restoration of the "Galway Subsidy," it is intended to make any Alteration as to the Port of Departure or Destination of the Vessels of the Atlantic Royal Mail Steam Navigation Company, carrying Her Majesty's Mails to America; and whether any Arrangement having such an Object in view is contemplated by Her Majesty's Government, or has been proposed by the Company in question? The noble Earl said, that though this matter had been designated by the Members of the present Government "a notorious job," it appeared that they were about to renew it. Under such circumstances it was not unnatural that he should put the Question of which he had given notice. It was understood that the subsidy was originally given upon the distinct understanding that there should be a mail packet communication between America and some port on the west or south of Ireland, with the object of conferring a benefit upon Ireland; and if it were now to be renewed, he hoped it would be on the ground of its being of advantage to Ireland. The Treasury Minute of the 3rd of January, 1863, was something to the same effect, giving, however, liberty to the Directors to state their views upon the matter. He believed that the Company since its first formation had undergone some changes, or had been formed afresh; indeed, he heard that it was not now the same Company that it was originally. From rumours which were spread abroad it appeared it was now contemplated to change the port of departure from Galway to some other port in Ireland or England; and Liverpool was freely spoken of as the place from which the vessels were to start in future. Much jealousy, in consequence of this report, had been created in the minds of other Transatlantic companies. And it was the knowledge of such a feeling existing that induced him to put this Question. He saw in a letter of Mr. Inman, of Liverpool, the owner of some vessels, and he believed the head of a steam-packet company, a statement to the effect that the writer had reason to know that the American mail was no longer to start from the port of Galway, but from Liverpool or some other English port. Mr. Inman said that the ground on which the subsidy had been originally granted was the benefit that would result to the port of Galway, and to Irish commerce generally; but it was obvious, that if Liverpool was to be the port of departure, the port of Gal- 1127 way would not be benefited, while the unsubsidized lines would be injuriously affected. He hoped that the noble Lord would give some explanation on the subject.

§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY
said, that no communication had been made to the Company alluded to, on the part of the Government, further than that they were ready to listen to any proposition they could make in reference to the renewal of the contract. No communication whatever had been made to the Government by the Company in respect to any alteration of the port from which their vessels were to start. At the same time he might mention that the Government had laid down certain necessary conditions preliminary to their entertaining the question at all— namely, that the Company should be able to show that they had a sufficient number of vessels properly qualified for the service, which must be surveyed by the Admiralty, who must report to the Treasury and the Post Office that the vessels were adequate and competent for the service. As those reports had not as yet been received, the Government were not in a position to take any active steps in the matter.

§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
Then am I to understand from the noble Lord that those vessels are not to start with the American mails from an English but from an Irish port?

§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY
No application of the kind alluded to has been made to the Government.

THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE
was sorry to hear from his noble Friend below him—if he understood him right— that the ground on which the subsidy was granted was that of conferring an advantage upon Ireland. Now, the whole ground upon which the people of Ireland claimed the subsidy, and that by which they were prepared to stand or fall was this:—That by departing from a western port of Ireland there would be established a quicker communication with America than if the departure took place from any other port in the United Kingdom.

§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY
Again, I say the question has never been entertained of the departure from an English port. The noble Marquess is perfectly right in his observation that this subsidy was obtained on the ground of a quicker communication by the departure from an Irish port. As to the particular Irish port 1128 for this departure, that was left an open question.

§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKE
—It will be satisfactory to know that the question of selection is confined to Irish ports, and not an English port. Is not this the understanding?

§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEY
— I understand so. There can he no question about it.