§ SIR HENRY TYLERasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If 856 he is now prepared to state what progress has been made with the Quetta Railway; whether the means of communication with Quetta by railway will be accelerated by means of works of a temporary character; and whether any works for a military railway will be undertaken in the direction of Candahar?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSThe despatch from the Government of India on the subject of this railway has now been received. The whole of the earthwork from Hurnai to Gurkai, 65 miles, with the exception of the heavy cutting at Mud Gorge, and some other trifling portions, has been completed. More than half of the tunnel headings of the Chappar Rift have been driven through; material for most of the bridges has been collected; and the final portion of the line to Quetta has been planned and marked out. The line will probably be opened throughout for traffic in the course of 1887–8. I am not able to say how far it might be possible to accelerate the communications by means of works of a temporary character. There is no present intention of extending the line beyond Shebo.
§ SIR HENRY TYLERasked if the hon. Gentleman would inquire whether the works could be accelerated?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSsaid, that as soon as the tunnel was completed it might be possible to accelerate the other portion of the works. He would make inquiry.