§ Sir G. Foxasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has approved the present policy of the Tanganyika Government in holding up the development of roads in order to provide protection for the railways, which they operate in that territory.
Mr. Creech JonesThe road policy of the Tanganyika Government is not directed towards protecting the railways, but to providing facilities to enable the Territory's transport needs to be met at the lowest possible cost. The Territory's resources are insufficient to meet all requirements immediately, which means, in some cases, that low priority is accorded to road construction in an area already served by rail.
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the industrial areas of Tanganyika, namely, the Western provinces, including the diamond area at Shinyanga, the new lead area at Mpanda and the gold area of Geita and Khama at present have no direct road communication with the capital of Tanganyika and that the construction of such roads has not been undertaken by the Government in view of the competition which would result with the Government railway; and whether steps will be taken to provide such road communication at an early date.
Mr. Creech JonesAll the places referred to in the Question are some 600 miles from Dar-es-Salaam. I am aware that they have no direct road connection with the capital. Such roads if constructed would pass mainly through sparsely inhabited country and would in the present circumstances of the territory involve expenditure which can more profitably be directed to more urgent needs.