§ Mr. FIENNESasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement as to the proposed extension of railway communication in Nyasaland; and if he can give the House any further information on the subject?
Mr. HARCOURTYes, Sir. The communication was authorised by me. I cannot properly go into details pending the result of the application which is being made to the Portugese Government; but I cannot suppose that that Government will put any obstacle in the way of an enterprise of so much value to its own possessions, and I think the House will share my satisfaction that there is now a definite prospect of obtaining those facilities for transport which are necessary to develop Nyasaland and to render it independent of further assistance from this country. I hope that by the time the Vote for Colonial Services comes before us in Committee of Supply, I shall be in a position to make a full and satisfactory statement on the subject.