HC Deb 29 June 1909 vol 7 cc355-6W
Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if he will specify the recommendations of the Crown Agents In- quiry Committee relating to opportunities for waste and extravagance which have been carried out and those which have not been carried out?

Colonel SEELY

I have difficulty in answering the hon. Gentleman's question in precise terms, because the Committee did not find that opportunities for waste and extravagance existed, but he may rest assured that effect will be given in one form or another to all the recommendations of the Committee over which I had the honour to preside.

Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will furnish a list of engineering works undertaken by Crown Agents within the last ten years, showing in each case the original estimated cost and time for completion; the sum and time, where known, within which a responsible contracting firm would have done the work; the reason for not getting it done by contract; and the actual cost and time under the Crown Agents, stating whether the work is complete or not?

Colonel SEELY

The Crown Agents for the Colonies do not undertake engineering works. Their duties in connection with works undertaken by the Governments of Crown Colonies are explained in a Memorandum written in 1904, and printed in the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 1944, to which I would ask the hon. Gentleman to refer. I cannot supply hypothetical figures, such as he asks for, with regard to the cost and time within which works might have been carried out under a different system of construction from that which was actually employed; but, if he will be good enough to refer to the Parliamentary Paper Cd. 2325, relating to the Construction of Railways in West Africa, he will find a very useful Memorandum of the considerations which have to be taken into account in deciding whether any particular work should be carried out Departmentally or by contract.