Mr. SANDEMAN:

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how it is proposed to finance the proposed railways in Tanganyika; whether the line has been fully surveyed; and what is the value of the estimated amount of material required for construction purposes and for rolling stock?

The arrangements for financing the railway construction in Tanganyika which is recommended in the Report of the East Africa Commission are still under consideration. In the case of the Kahama Mwanza, extension the preliminary surveys are complete and the location survey is in progress. No work has yet been done on the other proposed extensions, but it is understood that an existing survey of the Sanya-Arusha line is available. The only estimate yet prepared is that for the Kahama-Shinyanga section, which amounts to £225,000.

Mr. SANDEMAN:

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea as to what the probable cost of these other extensions would be, and does he not think it essential that we should get these railways started and surveyed, and the orders placed, as soon as possible?

I shall be glad if my hon. Friend will put that question down.