§ 14. Mr. H. WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in the preliminary survey and other preparatory work in connection with the railway and harbour development work sanctioned under the East African Loan Act?
§ Mr. AMERYIn Kenya, a contract has been signed for two additional deep-water berths at Kilindini, and work is in progress. In Uganda, the survey of the Soroti-Lira extension had not been completed at the date of my latest information, but it is probable that this line can be constructed out of previous borrowings. I am now awaiting the reports on the economic and engineering surveys of the proposed extension to Kampala, which are in progress. In Tanganyika Territory, preliminary surveys of the proposed Itigi-Mkalama railway are complete. Parties have been at work for some time along the Dodoma-Fife route. A consulting engineer has visited Dar-es-Salaam harbour; the engineers in charge of the hydrographic and other surveys there have been appointed, and are now completing their staff and gear. In the case of Nyasaland, the railway and commercial experts sent out last year have returned to England, and will render their reports very shortly, while more detailed surveys of rivers and of railway routes are still in progress. In Northern Rhodesia, arrangements are in hand for an aerial survey of the Zambesi River.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI suppose we may take it for granted that this country will not be committed to financing the Zambesi Bridge without further debate in this House?
§ Mr. AMERYThat matter, which has been very fully debated in this House, can, of course, be debated on the Estimates long before any final decision is taken.