§ MR. SMOLLETTasked the Secretary for India, What is the present position of the Madras Irrigation Company, and what is the amount expended in irrigation works up to the last account received from India. And, whether any prospect existed of the repayment of the interest guaranteed upon the capital of the Company, or of a participation by Government in the enormous profits which it was said that works undertaken by the State invariably produced in every district of the Madras Presidency?
§ SIR CHARLES WOODsaid, with regard to the position of the Company, they were carrying on their works. The sum which they had raised was about £790,000, and the sum spent about £717,000. He understood that about the month of July next, there would be 10,000 acres under irrigation. Though he had never entertained any extravagant expectations with 599 regard to the matter, he believed there was every prospect that the Government would be repaid the money which they had advanced.