MR. GRANT DUFFasked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether a Treaty is in course of negotiation between the Governments of India and Portugal under which the concession to a private company of power to make a Railway in British India under the guarantee of the Portuguese Government is provided for; if so, what securities are to be taken for economical and efficient construction and management; and, whether before a final decision is come to, the draft of any such Treaty and a copy of the Concession will be laid before Parliament?
§ LORD GEORGE HAMILTONSir, articles ad referendum for a Commercial Treaty between the Governments of India and Portugal are now under discussion in India between delegates of the two Governments. When agreed upon between the delegates, they will be referred home for consideration by the Home Governments, and any Treaty based upon them will be negotiated here, or at Lisbon, and submitted to Parliament. The Portuguese Government is anxious to place its port of Murmagom in connection with the British Indian Trunk Line of Railway, at or near Bellary, by a line to be constructed by a private company. The Indian Government is willing to grant facilities for the construction of that part of the line which passes through British territory, but will have no responsibility in the matter. I am not aware whether any guarantee is proposed to be given to the company by the Portuguese Government.