HC Deb 07 July 1896 vol 42 cc926-7
MR. R. W. PERKS (Lincolnshire, Louth)

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any agreement between the promoters of the Mombaza and Uganda Railway and the Crown Agents for the Colonies, under which the Crown Agents undertake to purchase materials, stores, and rolling stock for the railway; if so, whether he will cause a copy of any such agreement to be presented to Parliament?

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

There are no promoters of the railway in question. The superintendence of the work is intrusted to a Committee, whose names were given in a Paper on the Uganda Railway Bill recently presented to Parliament. Sir Montagu Ommanney, one of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, is a member of the Committee, and the necessary purchases are being made through his office; but there is no formal agreement.

MR. PERKS

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman if there is any agreement?

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

No, Sir; Sir Montagu Ommanney acts under the authority of the Committee.

MR. PERKS

Are the Crown Agents acting gratuitously?

*THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir Montagu Ommanney is.