§ Mr. MITCHELL-THOMSONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the proposed construction of a railway from Beira to the Zambesi and thence into Nyasaland; and, if so, whether he can state what are the proposed financial arrangements for the construction of the line?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Harcourt)In reply to the first part of the question, I beg to refer the hon. Member to my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Banbury on the 19th instant. I have only to add that the Portuguese Government have now agreed in principle to the construction of the line in their territory. The financial arrangements, so far as we are concerned, are, briefly, that the Government of the Nyasaland Protectorate will repurchase at a total cost of £180,800 the subsidy 1180 lands to which the Shire Highlands Railway Company are entitled under their agreements with the Government, and will further guarantee for ten years interest at 4 per cent. on the capital (not exceeding £500,000) of the company, which will be formed to construct the line from the Zambesi to Port Herald.
§ Earl WINTERTONMay I ask if, when the scheme is further advanced, the right hon. Gentleman will have a sketch map of the proposed route put in the Library for the convenience of Members?
§ Mr. HARCOURTI shall keep the House informed if they let me have a little time.