§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of paragraphs 176, 309, 310, and 316 of the Macmillan report, which describe the benefits to employment that will arise from a greater willingness to lend overseas, he will request the British commercial representative in Brazil to furnish him with a report on the present position of the Leopoldina Railway and the possibility of action being taken by the Brazilian Government to enable the railway to work at a profit?
§ Mr. GILLETTIn view of the fact that authoritative information on the present position of the Leopoldina Railway Company is only obtainable from the head office of the company in London, I do not think it would serve any useful purpose to ask the Commercial Secretary at Rio de Janeiro to furnish a report of the nature desired by the hon. Member. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Bromley (Mr. Campbell).