HC Deb 09 July 1930 vol 241 cc451-2W
Mr. A. SOMERVILLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cost of improving and putting in bridges and causeways on the important inter-colonial road from Livingstone, on the Zambesi, to the Nile port at Juba will be eligible for a grant or loan from the Colonial Development Fund?

Dr. SHIELS

I am advised that there is nothing in the Colonial Development Act to debar the Governments of the East African territories concerned from submitting this project, to the Advisory Committee on whose recommendation grants and loans may be made from the Colonial Development Fund.

Mr. SOMERVILLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether advantage will be taken of the presence in London of representatives of Northern and Southern Rhodesia, Tanganyika, Kenya, Uganda, and the Sudan to make financial and working arrangements to put into condition, so that it will support motor traffic throughout the year, the Livingstone-Broken Hill-Iringa - Dodoma - Nairobi-Mbale-Kitgum-Juba road which forms part of the great Imperial highway from the Cape to Cairo?

Dr. SHIELS

Arrangements were not made for the discussion of such a matter at the Colonial Office Conference, and as it is one upon which the advice of the local Public Works Departments is necessarily required, my Noble Friend does not think that any useful purpose would be served by attempting to discuss the matter here with the representatives of the East African Governments concerned.