§ Mr. GINNELLasked whether the consent of the Colonial Office is necessary, and is always obtained, before the Crown Agents undertake the construction of a railway or other engineering work in any Colony or Protectorate; and, if so, whether the Colonial Office will in future withhold its consent in each case until tenders for the execution of the work by contract have been publicly invited, and the result considered by the Colonial Office?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Crown Agents do not undertake the construction of railways or any other engineering works. If the Government of a Crown Colony desires to undertake such works, the consent of the Colonial Office is necessary. Upon the question whether such works should be carried out Departmentally or by contract, I would ask the hon. Gentleman to refer to the answer which I am giving in writing to another question of his to-day.