§ MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Concession for the Malacca Railway has been granted; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay; and whether arrangements will be made to proceed at once with this most useful undertaking, so that, if can be commenced before the rainy season.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. SYDNEY BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe terms offered by the Government have not yet been accepted by the proposed concessionaires, but negotiations are proceeding.
§ MR. W. JOHNSTONCan the hon. Gentleman say when the delay is likely to terminate?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI believe the delay is not on our side, but on the side of the concessionaires. We shall be glad to conclude the matter as soon as possible.