§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can inform the House of the precise amount of the £4,000,000 which the House is asked to vote for the charges in the Soudan and Upper Egypt under the head of "Army," that has already been expended, and the amount that is to be expended on the completion of the Wady Halfa Railroad; and, whether this Railroad when completed will be the property of Her Majesty's Government? THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON: I will answer the hon. Member for my right hon. Friend. I am unable to state the amount expended to the present 482 time; but I presume that the hon. Member means the amount of liability which has been incurred. It is not possible to state this with accuracy. Expenditure is being incurred in India and in Egypt, for which the accounts have not been received, and cannot be received for some time. The actual liabilities may be estimated to amount to £2,500,000. It must not be supposed, however, that, under any circumstances, the Soudan expenditure could be reduced to this amount. Provision has to be made for maintenance of adequate garrisons in Suakin and in Upper Egypt; and the expenditure in excess of what is required for these services will depend on the rate at which it may be found possible to effect the intended concentration of the troops. The estimated cost of the Nile Railway is £400,000; but communications are now being made with Sir Evelyn Baring and Lord Wolseley as to the extent to which it should be completed.