§ Sir R. THOMASasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been directed to the fact that the 3 ft. 6 in.-gauge is practically universal on the railways of the Union of South Africa, of Rhodesia, of Nyasaland, of Portuguese East Africa, and of the Sudan; and whether, in view of the fact that the railways of East Africa must ultimately be physically connected with these lines, he will consider the desirability of ceasing further construction on the metre-gauge and of converting the lines of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanganyika to 3 feet 6 inches before the cost of conversion becomes prohibitive?
§ Mr. AMERYThe Railway Administrations of Kenya and Uganda and of Tanganyika have for some time kept in mind the possibility that eventually they may find it desirable to convert their existing metre gauge to a gauge of 3 feet 6 inches, and they are now experimenting with various types of steel sleepers which will permit the widening of the gauge in the future at small expense.