MR. HERBERT ROBERTSI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Public Works Department of the India Office has been drawn to the delays and congestion of the traffic on the East Indian and other railways converging on the Howrah goods station at Calcutta, and the consequent hindrance to export trade from the port of that city; and whether he will consider the desirability of causing an independent investigation to be made by an engineering Commission as to the practicability by means of canals or otherwise to relieve the congestion of railway traffic at the point referred to.
§ *LORD G. HAMILTONThe congestion of traffic on the railways referred to has recently been under consideration by a special Committee of railway authorities, members of chambers of commerce, and merchants appointed in India. This Committee has recently reported to the Government of India, who will inform the Secretary of State of their 1151 recommendations after considering that Report. Pending the receipt of the views of the Government of India, I do not propose to take any such action as is suggested in the hon. Member's question.