§ 17. Sir NEWTON MOOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are contemplated, or are being taken, by His Majesty's Government to protect British trade interests by securing the transport trade routes to Southern Rhodesia and Central Africa, south of the equator; and whether he is aware that upon the completion of the Banquella Lobeto Bay Railway to Katanga, Tanganyika, the transport railway routes, trade, and harbours, both east and west coasts of South Africa, will largely be dominated by the Portuguese to the consequent detriment and loss to British trade?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREMy hon. Friend will appreciate that the political geography of the part of Africa to which he refers is such that communications for the British territories in the interior to the coast pass in certain cases through, foreign territory. His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the importance of improving railway communications with British ports, and, as my hon. Friend is aware, a considerable programme of development works is at present under consideration in connection with the projected £10,000,000 loan.