§ 67. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether arrangements have been made by the British Government to make a gift to the South African Government of a large quantity of British railway material now in France, and which was mostly sent from Great Britain; whether that material represents a value of about £500,000; and whether, in view of the great shortage of rolling stock and other material on British railways, he can state what arrangements are being made for re-equipping British railways?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI have been asked to answer this question. Arrangements have been made to sell to the South African Government a quantity of 75 lb. flat-bottomed rails; payment to be made from 1394 a grant of £500,000 by the British Government in respect of services rendered by the South African Government in connection with the transport of troops and material during the War. The rails to be supplied are not required by the British railway companies, there being sufficient material of this class to meet home requirements in addition to those of South Africa. No rolling stock is to be sent to South Africa, and special arrangements are being made to bring over as rapidly as possible to this country all the surplus railway material in France suitable, for the re-equipment of British railways.