§ Sir N. MOOREasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the disadvantages, financial and otherwise, that must follow in connection with the development of any new territory where provision is not made for the ultimate adoption of a standard uniform gauge in the railway system and which has been particularly referred to by the Economic Committee recently in Australia, he will take all possible steps to provide that in the railway-building programme now being carried out in those parts of Africa under British control this position is so safeguarded that all main arterial systems may be eventually unified
§ Mr. AMERYYes, Sir. As a necessary preliminary, standard load and structure gauges have been prepared by the technical advisers of the Crown Agents for the Colonies. The Governments and private companies concerned in British Africa are being asked to consider the desirability of adopting these gauges for all future railway extensions and for new 441W works on existing lines, with a view to minimising expense and inconvenience in the event of the ultimate introduction of a single standard gauge for all railways in Africa.