HC Deb 08 March 1923 vol 161 cc717-8
89. Mr. JOHNSTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, at any period during the past two years, the Sudan Government has made representations to the Treasury for guarantees additional to the £6,000,000 provided for in the Act of 15th August, 1919 (chapter 43) for the Makwar dam schemes; if these additional guarantees were refused by the Treasury; and if the Sudan Plantations Syndicate, Limited, made any, and, if so, what representations to the Treasury on the subject?

Mr. BALDWIN

As the hon. Member will see from Treasury Minute of the 13th January, 1923, of which I have sent him a copy, the Treasury have guaranteed under the authority of the Loans Guarantee Act, 1922, a further sum of £3,500,000 in respect of the Gezireh irrigation scheme. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Will the Chancellor of the Exchequer answer the first part of the question?

Mr. SPEAKER

I think the right hon. Gentleman has dealt with that in his reply.

Mr. JOHNSTON

Is it the case that the Sudan Government has made representations to the Treasury?

Mr. HARDIE

Why is it that the Chancellor of the Exchequer refuses to say whether or not such representations were made?

Mr. SPEAKER

That was answered in the first part of the answer. If the hon. Member see fit, he can put another question on the Paper.