§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Government contemplate granting any material assistance towards developing and extending the railway system in Bechuanaland; and, if so, what form their assistance is likely to take?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)Her Majesty's Government do not propose to ask Parliament to increase the grant-in-aid of British Bechuanaland, in order to subsidize the construction of railways in that territory. There is at present no railway there. They would not be unwilling to assist the construction of a railway by grants of land or other assistance from local sources; but the High Commissioner has not as yet been satisfied that any substantial assistance can so be given.