asked the Prime Minister whether, in the consideration the Government may give to the grant of subsidies in connection with the promotion of trade and industry, he will consider the renewal or grant of certain steamship subsidies in relation to the mail contracts, such as existed in time gone by in the case of the West Indies, where our trade has suffered through withdrawal?

I am advised that the existing facilities for the conveyance of mails to the West Indies are adequate, and I see no reason, therefore, to make a special contract involving payment of a subsidy.