HC Deb 25 August 1909 vol 9 cc2089-90
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say on whose opinion the expectation is based that the Kowloon Railway ever can, in addition to its working expenses, repay the principal or any interest on the money spent upon its construction?

Mr. J. M. F. FULLER (Vice-Chamberlain) (for Colonel Seely)

The expectation is based on figures supplied by the Chief Resident Engineer?

Mr. GINNELL

Is the Resident Engineer a nominee of the Crown Agent?

Mr. FULLER

He is appointed under the Colonial Office.

Mr. GINNELL

Is he nominated by the Crown Agent?

Mr. FULLER

No.

Mr. GINNELL

Does the Resident Engineer say that this expensive railway can ever successfully compete with the direct navigable river connecting the same two points at no cost?

Mr. FULLER

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will give notice of that question.

Mr. GINNELL

asked whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Con-suiting Engineer for the Kowloon Railway was appointed at the instance of the Crown Agents' hands, and their wishes between this engineer and the Government of Hong Kong passes through the Crown Agents; that all correspondence prevail in all things; that the making of the railway, the ordering of material and equipment, the appointment of the staff, and the provision of money for these purposes, are in the hands of the Crown Agents, who exercise unlimited patronage, hold a lien on the railway and on the funds of the Colony, and are regarded as owners of the railway and employers of the staff; and whether the Colonial Office will fix any limit to the indefinite expenditure of money on this project?

Mr. FULLER

The answer to the first and third parts of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the negative. The correspondence between the Consulting Engineers and the Colony passes through the hands of the Crown Agents under flying seal. With regard to the last part, the expenditure will be limited to the amount required for the construction and equipment of the line.

Mr. GINNELL

Can the hon. Gentleman explain to the House how his answer is in the negative, since it is in direct contradiction to the statement made on 13th May by the Governor of Hong Kong?

Mr. FULLER

No, Sir.

Mr. MOORE

As this is an important matter to the constituents of the hon. Member for North Westmeath, can the hon. Gentleman give a fuller reply?