§ SIR ROPER LETHBRIDGEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether it is true, as stated in a recent telegram, that the Government of India proposes to take the construction and working of the proposed Bengal and Assam Railway out of the hands of private enterprise, and to work it as a State monopoly; and whether any Returns are available that show the relative cost of Government and private control respectively in such undertakings in India?
SIR J. GORSTThe construction of the proposed Bengal and Assam Railway is a matter still under the consideration of the Secretary of State and Government of India. No Returns are available, but information on the subject may be found in the annual Reports of the Director General of Railways laid before Parliament.