§ Brigadier-General Sir OWEN THOMASasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that a well-known firm of railway engineers in February, 1918, offered to build the projected railway line between Nakuru and Mumias, in Britsh East Africa, a distance of 205 miles, and to procure the entire capital necessary for completing the survey, purchasing material, and building such railway upon terms set out in their offer; whether such offer received the emphatic support of the then acting Governor of the Protectorate, but was refused consideration by the then Secretary of State for the Colonies until after the War; and whether, in view of the fact that the railway is urgently required for the development of the country and for the transport of foodstuffs, he will direct an immediate inquiry to be made as to whether the acceptance of such offer would be of great advantage to this promising Colony?
§ Lieutenant-Colonel AMERYThe facts I are generally as stated in the first part of 1227W the hon. and gallant Member's question. There is no doubt that the development of the Protectorate would be greatly assisted by this and other capital works which are in contemplation, and the whole question of capital expenditure is now receiving the earnest consideration of the Secretary of State.