§ MR. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Secretary for the Colonies has sanctioned the following railway schemes in Ceylon, namely, the branch line from Aresawella to Ratuapura, and the survey of a branch line from the main north line to Manaar to connect with India; and whether he is aware that the Ratuapura extension is urgently needed in view of the large
† See (4) Debates, clxxv., 68.1073 areas opened and to be opened for rubber planting on the line, exclusive of tea already in bearing, and that the Chamber of Commerce have expressed the opinion that this extension will be profit earning from the day it is opened for traffic.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Answer to the first part of the Question is in the negative. A fresh survey is about to be made of the line to Ratuapura, and the question of connection with India is still under the consideration of the Indian Government.