§ 27. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps, if any, have been taken to stop further commitments on such matters as the Zambesi bridge, Palestine land purchase, road development in this country, or railway development in East Africa?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Philip Snowden)The contract for the construction of the Zambesi bridge was signed in October, 1930, and the work is proceeding; no new commitments in connection with that project are contemplated. The guarantee by His Majesty's Government of a loan to be raised by Palestine for development will require legislation. The matter is at present the subject of investigation in Palestine. Railway development in East Africa, so far as the Exchequer might be concerned (through a loan guaranteed under the Palestine and East Africa Loans Act, 1926, or otherwise), is being limited to essential requirements. With regard to road development in this country, I would refer the right hon. and gallant Member to the recent White Paper on the Government's proposals to secure reductions in national expenditure.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODI did not hear the Chancellor of the Exchequer very clearly, but is it a fact that we are going on with the expenditure of £3,000,000 on that Zambesi bridge?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI understand that the work that is already in hand is being carried out, but no new commitments are contemplated.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the War came to an end we had to cancel contracts to save money? Are we now going on with the whole of this expenditure of £3,000,000 on this railway?