HC Deb 16 July 1930 vol 241 cc1265-7
24. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what firm of engineers is responsible for the estimate of £3,000,000 for the Zambesi bridge railway extensions; whether the bridge is to be built on Portuguese territory; and whether there has been any variation in the concession whereby the bridge is to revert to the Portuguese Government at the expiration of 99 years from 1912?

Dr. SHIELS

The estimate for the bridge and approaches was prepared jointly by the firms of Messrs. Livesay, Son and Henderson and Messrs. Rendel, Palmer and Tritton. The bridge is in Portuguese territory. No variation has been made in the condition referred to.

Mr. LAMBERT

Cannot this matter be reconsidered—this proposal to spend the large sum of £3,000,000 on foreign territory?

Dr. SHIELS

As I pointed out previously in reply to the right hon. Gentleman, this matter has been before the House since 1924 when an inter-Departmental Committee considered it. It has been dealt with in discussion at least half-a-dozen times in this House, and I think it is generally agreed that the House has now accepted the proposal.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Arising out of that answer—with which I entirely disagree—may I ask whether the Treasury have finally approved of this expenditure?

Dr. SHIELS

Yes, Sir.

Mr. DAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much is being spent on Portuguese labour?

Dr. SHIELS

No, Sir.

Mr. LAMBERT

May I have an answer to the last part of my question, as to whether there has been any variation in the concession whereby the bridge is to revert to the Portuguese Government at the expiration of 99 years from 1912?

Dr. SHIELS

That was included in my reply. The last sentence of my reply was that no variation has been made in the condition referred to.

Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTE

How much of this money is to be paid by the British taxpayer?

25. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the excess of revenue over expenditure in the year 1930 was estimated by the treasurer of Nyasaland on the 8th March, 1927, to be £52,000, while the actual expenditure now is estimated to be £21,000 in excess of revenue; and whether, in view of that error, the Nyasaland Government has recently been consulted as to its ability to guarantee the loan of £2,500,000 for building the Zambesi Bridge, having regard to the serious fall in the primary products of Nyasaland?

Dr. SHIELS

There is no real discrepancy. The current Estimates for 1930 include part of the developmental expenditure recommended in the Treasurer's memorandum of 8th March, 1927, and also repayments of £47,639 to the Imperial Exchequer which were assumed for the purposes of the earlier estimate to be waived. This relief has now been granted, so that the current year should show a surplus. The Governor has been fully consulted throughout.