§ 1. Colonel DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the total amount that has been spent by the Government of Bombay to build a sea wall across Back Bay; and whether this reclamation scheme has now been completed?
Captain Lord STANLEY (Lord of the Treasury)In the absence of my Noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for India, who is not due back from India until the end of this week, I have been asked to reply to the questions addressed to him.
534 According to the Report of the Back Bay Inquiry Committee, the cost of the construction of the sea wall, up to the 1st December last, was something over 200 lakhs of rupees (about £1,500,000). The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ Colonel DAYCan the Noble Lord say what is the present proposed estimate of the amount that this reclamation is going to cost?
Lord STANLEYI am afraid I cannot answer any question on future policy, but, for the hon. Member's information, I may say that a copy of the Report has been placed in the Library, and he may be able to get the information from that.
§ Colonel DAYThat does not tell us what I am asking. I am asking if the Noble Lord can say what the present estimate is for the completion of this work—how much money will be necessary?
Lord STANLEYI am afraid I am not in possession of that information, but if the bon. Member will put down a question, I will see that it is answered.