§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Postmaster-General under what paragraph in the contract with the Cunard Company for the conveyance of the American mails has he exercised the power to relieve the company from the principal obligation which was entered into by it?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have not voluntarily relieved the Cunard Company of any of its obligations. As I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to another question addressed to me on the 18th instant, the technical advisers to the Post Office, Board of Trade, and the Admiralty, at the request of the Post Office, considered and confirmed the contention of the Cunard Company as to the grave risk attendant on taking their larger vessels into the inner harbour at Queenstown, and I have, therefore, been unable to insist on the company doing so. The mails could only be transferred to the1154W vessels outside the harbour in fair weather, and I was unable to consent to the continuance of conditions under which the final American mails were liable, and on eight occasions had actually to be left behind at Queenstown. Section 27 (2), (b), and (c) of the contract (Part II.) provide that a deduction shall be made from the annual payment to the company if one of the fastest of the company's mail-ships fails to proceed direct to Queenstown and remain there until the mails to be there embarked have been received on board; but the Section further provides that no such deduction shall be made if the default arises wholly, or in part, from any cause beyond the control of the company, and I have been advised by the Law Officers that there is no power to make a deduction when, the failure to embark the mails at Queenstown is due to stress of weather.