§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked when the construction of the Stann Creek Railway in British Honduras was begun; what was the original estimate of the cost of the railway; what had been the actual cost to date; and who were responsible for the work of constructing the line?
Mr. HARCOURTIt is somewhat difficult to answer the first part of the hon. 1452 Member's question since it was originally proposed that the Stann Creek Railway should have a smaller gauge than the 36-inch gauge which was finally adopted. The original estimate for twenty miles of this gauge was £62,877, but the length of the line was subsequently increased to twenty-five miles. Construction commenced in 1907, and up to the 31st March, 1911 (the latest date for which figures are available) the amount actually expended was $598,002, roughly £123,000. Considerable difficulties were met with in the course of construction. The work was carried out by a resident engineer under the supervision of consulting engineers in England.