§ 18. Mr. TOUCHEasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is meant by the statement in the last number of the "Colonial Office Journal" that the gauge of the Northern Nigeria Bauchi Railway is to be gradually increased?
Mr. HARCOURTThe conversion of this light line of 2ft. 6in. gauge to 3ft. 6in., the gauge of the main line, was contemplated from the first as an undertaking which it would be desirable to carry out when the necessary funds were available. The success of the line has been so remarkable that I felt justified in approving the immediate conversion of about half of the line to the wider gauge. As the bridges and culverts were constructed to carry the wider gauge, the operation will, I am informed, be a simple one.