asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the complaints of British traders as to the inadequacy of rolling stock in Uganda and East Africa; will he state why orders for such rolling stock are not placed and executed more promptly in this country, especially with a view to the relief of unemployment; whether the policy of the Crown Agents is to indent for such rolling stock well in advance to meet the certain requirements of subsequent years; and whether the whole system of Crown Agents' control of railways can be overhauled?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Crown Agents have, for the railways under their control, to anticipate the needs of commercial development in the near future by placing in advance orders for rolling stock; whether this policy has been followed with regard to the Uganda Railway; and, if so, what is the reason for the suggested shortage of trucks?

The complaints seem to have arisen from the temporary locking-up of trucks largely owing to the unprecedented rush of imports into Uganda at the end of 1924, which were in excess of the handling facilities of the Lake terminus. The position will be eased in future, not only by the construction of the through line to Uganda, which is being expedited, but also by the continual provision of additional trucks and of additional facilities on the Lake. About 400 trucks were supplied in 1924, and further orders are being sent home and executed as rapidly as possible up to the capacity of the erecting sheds at Nairobi, but I must repeat that the present difficulty has been due to special and temporary causes. The latter part of the question of the hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Forrest) seems to be due to a misunderstanding. The Crown Agents control no railway, and their orders for rolling stock depend on the indents which they receive from Colonial Governments.

Is it not the fact that there have been considerable complaints of the delay in executing indents sent home to the Crown Agents?

I am not aware of any complaints on that score, but there have been great complaints owing to want of accommodation in the actual railway settlements.

Would not these operations be considerably facilitated if the policy of the Crown Colonies were expanded in accordance with modern requirements, rather than under Regulations?

I am not aware that the Regulations have put any obstacle in the way of the speedy carrying out of the indents.