§ 40. Sir WALTER de FRECEasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what railways in West Africa during the last 30 years have been built Departmentally and by private contract?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Accra-Akwapim line in the Gold Coast is the only railway in British West Africa that was built by a contractor. I have not sufficient information to say if any of the French West African railways were built by contract.
§ 41. Sir EDWIN STOCKTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before any definite work is undertaken Departmentally, he will obtain an estimate of the cost signed by the Crown agents or their consulting enginers and, before executing such work, ascertain whether public contractors can undertake the same work at the same or at a lower figure with substantial guarantees for the fulfilment of the contract?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREWith regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my answer of yesterday to the hon. Member for Cardiff Central (Mr. Gould): As for the concluding portion, the question of the advisability of executing a work by contract is always considered when the work is one of any importance.