§ SIR EDWARD WATKIN (Hythe)asked the Secretary of State for War, What is the present position of the railway (of about 100 miles in length, between Wady Halfa and Sarras, in Egypt) constructed by War Departments at a cost of about £140,000; who is in control; is the railway worked or abandoned; and, what has become of the rolling stock provided for it?
THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. E.STANHOPE) (Lincolnshire) (Horncastle)The hon. Baronet is under some misapprehension as to this line of railway from Wady Halfa to Sarras. It is only 33½ miles in length, and was constructed by the Egyptian Government between 1873 and 1877. At the time of the Nile Expedition, and for military purposes, some expenditure was incurred in improving the line; but nothing approaching the sum named in the Question. On the abandonment of the country south of Wady Halfa the line was transferred to the control of the Egyptian Government, to whom the rolling stock was lent, so far as it had been provided from British funds. The sale of the stock is now under consideration.