§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)To ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the firm of Slielford and Son, London, received any commission, and, if so, how much, on the cost of the railways lately built, or at present under construction in West Africa.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain, for the Secretary of State for the Colonies.) Messrs. Slielford and Son are remunerated for their services as consulting engineers by a salary from the funds of each Colony which employs them in that capacity, and their out-of-pocket expenses for office and clerks are refunded to them. They have not received any commission on the cost of the railways lately built or at present under construction in West Africa.