MR. FELL PEASE (York, N.R., Cleveland)asked the Under Secretary 1170 of State for India, Whether it is the intention of the Government, within the present year, to encourage and expedite the construction, whether by the State or by public Companies, of Railways and other Works in India, which have been recommended in the interests of that Empire, and would be securities against famine, while in this Country they might have the effect of encouraging the iron, steel, and other industries?
§ MR. JACKSON (Leeds, N.)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he will lay upon the Table of the House, a Return, showing the extent of Railways in India which has been sanctioned since the Report of the Committee on East Indian Railways of 18th July 1884, giving the names of the sanctioned Railways, the mileage, the estimated cost, the time to be occupied in construction, and whether they were included in Schedules A and B of the Report; and, if he can say whether it is the intention of the Government to take advantage of the extremely low prices now ruling for Railway material, and push forward the extension of Railways in India at a more rapid rate?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir UGHTRED KAY-SHUTTLEWORTH) (Lancashire, Clitheroe)The annual Report on Railways in India for the year 1885–6, which will be presented as usual this Session, will give the desired information; but if the hon. Member for North Leeds (Mr. Jackson) desires any part of the information immediately, perhaps he will confer with me, and I shall be happy, as far as possible, to meet his wishes. In the opinion of the Secretary of State in Council, the numerous railways and other public works now in course of construction, which include the Frontier Lines, should be further advanced towards completion before fresh obligations are incurred. I may add for the information of the House that the Budget Estimate for the current year included a capital expenditure of about £8,250,000 on Indian Railways. The Indian Midland Railway Company, with a capital of £3,000,000, has also been formed, and the Southern Mahratta Company have raised £600,000 for a new railway. These two sums were not included in the Estimate.