§ MR. BOURKEasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can give the House any information with respect to the alleged proposed railroad between the Red Sea and the Nile?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONMy right hon. Friend at the head of the Government stated the other day, in the House, that the question of the possible construction of the railway from Suakin to Berber had been, among other subjects, under the consideration of the Government. I do not think it possible for me at present to add anything to that statement, except to say that certain preliminary steps have been taken by the Government with the view to such a possible contingency; but, up to the present, the Government have not come to a decision to construct such a railway.