§ Colonel ENGLANDasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition from the inhabitants of the Island of Tristan da Cunha asking for a warship to visit the island annually; and whether he can, in view of the great hardships suffered by the population in consequence of the lack of communication with the outside world, see his way to favourably consider the request of the petitioners?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of the possibility of providing more regular and frequent communication with Tristan da Cunha has recently been under careful consideration, but it is feared that having regard to the considerable expense and other difficulties involved His Majesty's Government cannot undertake to arrange for a yearly visit of a warship to the island, though it is hoped that such a visit can be made every three or four years.