§ MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether, taking into consideration the present low price of steel rails, Railway plant, and other necessary materials, the Indian Government will now proceed with the construction of those Railways which have been declared to be of urgent public utility for the benefit of that Country?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY (Sir JOHN GORST) (Chatham)Her Majesty's Government desire to see the railway system of India developed as rapidly as financial prudence will permit. They recognize the low price of railway plant as an element which 332 tends to hasten the construction of those railways which have been declared to be of urgent public utility. The capital expenditure of the current year will amount to more than 10 crores of rupees, rather more than half of which will be expended directly by the State, and the rest by Companies under the guarantee of the State. The Secretary of State desires me to add that he is quite alive to the necessity of developing the resources of the country through the extension of the railway system without delay.