§ 30. Sir O. THOMASasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies why £6,000,000 can be found for the development of cotton in the Soudan, where there is a relatively small population and no European settlement, while the £3,000,000 already voted for the development of communications in British East Africa, where there is a large native population and many European settlers, and where cotton can be grown without irrigation, are still withheld?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe whole question of loan requirements and expenditure is under the consideration of the Secretary of State, who is quite alive both to the urgent needs and to the great possibilities of our territories in Eastern Africa. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that there is no question of withholding the money required for the development of communications in East Africa, but only of settling the purposes which, in the present circumstances, are most urgent, and the methods by which the necessary capital expenditure can best be provided.
§ Sir O. THOMASIs the land on which this money—about £6,000,000—is going to be spent in erecting dams in the Soudan, for the purpose of growing cotton, the property of the Government, or of public companies, or of private individuals?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYI would ask my hon. and gallant Friend to address any question with regard to the Soudan, which. is under the Foreign Office, to the representative of the Foreign Office.