§ 76. Mr. LUMLEYasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has set up the Committee to report on the extension of railways in Nyasaland; what are the terms of reference; and what is the composition of the Committee?
Mr. THOMASAs the answer to this question is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREDoes it include the question of the Zambesi bridge?
§ Following is the answer:
§ I have appointed a Departmental Committee, under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Read, K.C.M.G., C.B., Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, to consider the question of railway development in Nyasaland, and to make a Report. The terms of reference are:
- (1) To consider whether any modification should be made in the approved route for the extension to Lake Nyasa, and, if not,
- (2) To advise as to the best means of providing the funds required to carry out the work at the earliest possible date.
- (3) To consider whether any further railway extension can usefully be contemplated at the present time, and, if so, in what direction.
- (4) To consider whether the construction of a bridge across the Zambesi is justifiable at the present time, and, if so, what steps could be taken to provide the necessary funds for its construction.
- (5) To advise as to the steps to be taken to simplify the working of the railway system connecting Nyasaland with the sea.
§ The Committee is composed as follows:
- Sir James Stevenson, G.C.M.G.
- Sir George Smith, K.O.M.G., late Governor of Nyasaland.
- Sir William Acworth, K.C.S.I.
- Mr. G. J. Churchward, of the Great Western Railway, and
- Representatives of the Colonial Office and the Treasury.