§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Commissioner Sharpe, in his Report on the British Central Africa Protectorate for the year ending 31st March, strongly urges the construction of the proposed Nyasa Railway, especially the portion between Chiromo and Blantyre; and in view of the fact that the imports for the 841 Protectorate show an increase of £69,551 17s. 4d. over the previous year, and the exports an increase of £41,383 14s. 7d., will he state whether the Government have yet determined to construct the proposed railway at an early date.
§ VISCOUNT CRANBORNEThe answer to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second paragraph Her Majesty's Government have noted the gratifying increase in the trade returns, but the answer to the question must be in the negative.