MR. JOSEPH A. PEASEI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what progress has been made with the construction of the railway to Uganda from the East Coast of Africa, and when it is estimated the railway will be completed?
MR. CURZONMr. Whitehouse, the Chief Engineer, and his staff arrived on December 11th at Mombasa, and at once commenced preliminary operations on the island; 1,100 coolies have since been engaged and despatched from India, and active work has already begun. In the meantime, detailed surveys 1257 have also been prosecuted on the mainland. Orders have been given for the supply of tools, stores, locomotives, rolling stock, and 100 miles of permanent way. The estimated duration of construction in the Report of 1893 was four years. The Railway Committee hope that the line maybe completed in a less period.