HC Deb 09 May 1881 vol 261 cc26-7
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the Secretary of State for India, Whether, in accordance with the conditions of the Treaty of Lisbon, a mixed Commission has ascertained that a Railway from Marmaganna to New Hubli would be preferable, in the interests of commerce generally, to one from Karwar to New Hubli, and likely to prove remunerative; and, whether the Government of India are satisfied that the proposed Line by way of Marmaganna is preferable to any other, can be constructed at a reasonable cost, and is likely to prove remunerative?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Sir, under the Treaty of Lisbon it was optional to appoint a mixed Commission to ascertain whether a railway from Marmagoa to New Hubli would be preferable, in the interests of commerce generally, to one from Karwar to New Hubli. The words are, "Whenever either of the high contracting parties may be desirous of ascertaining" the advantages of one as compared with the other, they shall in concert appoint such a Commission. It was not, however, considered necessary to follow this course, Her Majesty's Government being of opinion that there were good and sufficient reasons for co-operating with the Government of Portugal in carrying out the Marmagoa undertaking, each Government dealing with the construction of those sections only of railway which lie within its own territory. The Government of India expressed themselves in favour of the Karwar line; but in dealing with the question at the India Office it was thought that both the letter and spirit of the Treaty bound us not only not to attach too much weight to the circumstance that Karwar was in British territory, but also to judge the case for Marmagoa as favourably as in reason and candour we could; and we came to the conclusion that it was more advantageous, under all the circumstances, to make the arrangement, which has been explained, with the Portuguese Government. There is no reason to suppose that the line will not be constructed at a reasonable cost by that Government and that when completed throughout it will not be remunerative.