§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, having regard to the fact that the preliminary agreement for the construction of the Canton-Kowloon Railway was signed on the 28th March, 1898, and that the construction of the line is contingent on arrangements being made for financing the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, will he state the amount required for the construction of the latter line, and when the British and Chinese Corporation expect to be in a position to proceed with the work of construction.
§ EARL PERCYI understand that it is estimated that the cost of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway, including the land required, will be £3,250,000. I regret that I am not at present in a position to answer the second part of the hon. Member's Question.