§ MR. A. J. BALFOURasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether any scheme has been sanctioned by the Home Government for constructing a railroad between the South Marhetta country and the sea; if so, whether the line selected is the one approved by the Government of India; and, whether the Government is prepared to lay papers on the subject upon the Table of the House?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the Home Government have made an arrangement, in fulfilment of the Treaty of 1878, with the Portuguese Government by which, if that Government establish a port at Marmagao, and construct a railway from thence within Portuguese territory towards the South Mahratta country, the Indian Government will continue the line from the 893 frontier to New Hubli, and ultimately connect it with other lines to be constructed in that part of India. The Government of India were disposed to be more in favour of connecting the Mahratta country and the coast by means of a railway which would start from Karwar, a port in British territory, a little south of Marmagao; but that would probably have involved a larger expenditure on the part of the Government of India, whereas the line now selected in Portuguese territory is to be made under a guarantee from the Portuguese Government, and the same object will be gained. I am not sure whether the Correspondence is complete; but when it is there will be no objection to lay it on the Table.