§ 3 and 4. Sir Arnold Wilsonasked the Under-Secretary of State for Burma (1) what sums have been expended in Burma upon the construction of the Burma-China road; and what contribution to the cost has been made from the British Treasury or from other sources in view of the fact that it is at present being used solely by Chinese Government-owned or controlled lorries for the transport of military stores consigned to that Government and not for general merchandise;
(2) whether the recent construction of a motor-road connecting Burma with China through the territory of the Shan States was undertaken with the prior consent of the Shan chiefs; and whether such construction is consistent with the general tenour of our engagements with those States?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadUp to 31st March last rather less than 3¾ lakhs of rupees, say £27,700, had been spent on the improvement of the Lashio-Kyuhkok road. No contribution towards this expenditure has been made from any source outside Burma. Except for the 11 or 12 miles nearest China the road is not new construction but is a well-established fair-weather road, the improvement of which to an all-weather standard is in line with the general policy of road improvement approved by the chiefs of the Federated Shan States. Though the traffic that has used the improved road up to the present may be mainly as described by my hon. and gallant Friend, it is open to all classes of traffic.
§ Sir A. WilsonWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman bear in mind that the economic and biological consequences of this road, after the present emergency is over, are likely to be serious; and would he give serious consideration to the defence of Burma against unauthorised immigration from China?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI would not say that the permanent consequences will be serious but they are recognised as being important.
§ Mr. SorensenWhat is meant by the "biological consequences" of this road?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe hon. Member must not ask me to explain my hon. and gallant Friend's question.
§ Sir A. WilsonMixed marriages.