§ Mr. DUNNICOasked the Postmaster-General whether he has received any complaints with regard to the existing arrangements with the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company concerning the delivery at Bombay of the English mails; whether he is aware of the frequent late arrivals of the English mail steamers at Bombay; and what penalties are provided for in the contract with the steamship company respecting late arrival of the mail?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI understand that there has been some complaint in India regarding recent late arrivals of the Indian mail at Bombay. These late arrivals have been due to causes beyond the control of the steamship company, such at the late running of the Indian mail train in France, labour troubles which have delayed loading at Marseilles and rough weather. The con-tract provides that the company shall pay a sum of £100 for every complete 12 hours of delay in arrival at Bombay when such delay is wholly within their control.