§ MR. WEDGWOOD (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the financing of schemes of railway construction in East Africa, whether he will see that at least one mile of land on each side of any proposed railways for which British funds are required is retained as Crown land for the benefit of the British taxpayers, as security for any loan or for the return of any grant in aid till such loan or grant is repaid with compound interest.
§ COLONEL SEELYMy hon. friend may rest assured that in any scheme which may be approved for financing schemes of railway construction in East Africa the Secretary of State will do his best to safeguard the interests to the British taxpayer, but he is unwilling to decide in advance the method by which this object may be best secured.
§ MR. WEDGWOODWill the House have an opportunity of discussing this question before the Estimates are passed?
§ COLONEL SEELYI suppose the opportunity will arise on my noble friend's salary.
§ *MR. REESIs the hon. Gentleman not aware it is customary for companies to retain a certain amount of land on either side of such railways when constructed by other than official agency?
§ COLONEL SEELYYes; but my hon. friend is asking the Secretary of State to pledge himself to a particular width of land.
§ MR. WEDGWOODBut was not one mile reserved on each side of the Uganda Railway?
§ COLONEL SEELYYes, Sir.