§ MR. SMOLLETTsaid, he wished to ask the Under Secretary of State for India, If application has been made, more particularly in reference to the Eastern of Bengal and Southern of Madras Railway schemes, for extension of those projects; if so, whether the applications have been complied with, and further guarantees of interest granted, payable from the Revenues of British India?
MR. T. G. BARINGsaid, in reply, that the Secretary of State for India in Council had offered to guarantee £650,000, at 4¾ per cent, for the completion of a certain part of the original project of the Eastern of Bengal Railway. The Great Southern of India Company had been also permitted to complete their original project by connecting their line with the Madras Railway at a cost of £500,000—£350,000 to be raised in shares at 4¾ per cent, and the remainder on debentures at 4½ per cent.