§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the exact position of the Kantara 1080W Palestine railway as regards the Egyptian Government; and what are the yearly earnings of the line apart from military transport?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLThe actual permanent-way, buildings, etc. of the Kantara-Rafa Railwayaxe. the property of His Majesty's Government. The question of its future has not yet been decided, but as it lies within Egyptian territory, the Egyptian Government will naturally be consulted before any alteration in its status is effected. The estimated revenue of this Railway in 3922–23 is £E210,000 and the estimated expenditure £E201,000. It is difficult, on the figures in my possession. to say what proportion of the earnings is in respect of military traffic, but it is probably something like a quarter of the whole.