§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in the Administration Report on the Railways of India for 1893–4 there is a schedule of railways lately surveyed, at present under survey, or recently put forward for consideration, in all amounting to a mileage of 6,167; whether, during the next three years, he has authorised the construction of 2,000 miles; and whether, in view of the serious depression in the iron, coal, and other industries, and the lack of employment in this country, and the large amount of unemployed capital, the Government proposes to authorise the whole of the above mileage to be immediately constructed.
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERMy answer to the hon. Member's first question is in the affirmative. The total mileage now under construction or sanctioned is about 2,600, of which about 1000 miles are included in the schedule to which the hon. Member refers. It is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to proceed with the construction of railways in India as rapidly as the resources of the Government of India will permit, and, at the same time, to make use of 1092 private agencies for that purpose whenever suitable terms can be arranged.
§ MR. R. G. WEBSTERasked whether the Government could not see their way to giving an Imperial guarantee for the construction of railways in India, in the same way that an Imperial guarantee was given some years ago for the same purpose?
§ MR. H. H. FOWLERThat is just a point to which we do not see our way.