§ MR. PRICE (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether there is available any list or statement showing the Indian railway extensions already sanctioned, with the localities, aggregate mileage, and estimated cost of such extensions; whether a statement can be made at an early date of such further railway projects as are likely to be included in the forecasts for the financial year, with an estimate of the capital outlay thereon; and whether lists and estimates can also be given of the chief projects in hand and under consideration for water storage and irrigation in the different presidencies?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAAt page 88 et seq. of the Administration Report for 1897–8, which has been laid before Parliament, will 1038 be found a statement of the capital expenditure on the various railways to the 31st December, 1897, and at page 98 et seq. of the Financial Statement for 1898–9 the proposed grants for extensions in subsequent years. It is probable that the financial statement, which will be made on the 20th March and which will be subsequently laid before Parliament, will include the programme of further railway projects and irrigation works on which money will be spent in the coming year. With regard to irrigation works, I may also refer the honourable Member to page 12 of the appendix to the explanatory memorandum presented by me last year.