asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists in Lancashire at the delay of the Government in introducing the East African Transport Loan Guarantee Bill recommended by the East African Commission, and will he state when the Bill will be introduced?

Mr. QRMSBY-GORE:

I regret that I am not in a position to add anything to previous replies on this subject.

When will a satisfactory reply be given? The point is of very great importance for cotton development.

As the hon. Member knows, the scheme propounded in the Report of myself and my colleagues on East Africa would require legislation in this House, and I think, in view of the state of Parliamentary business, it would be very difficult for the Prime Minister to say—even if he approves of the scheme— that it would be possible to introduce a Bill of this kind.

Mr. THOMAS:

Does not this scheme foreshadow a possible solution of the unemployment problem by providing work, and is not that a greater question than the question of Parliamentary time?

Undoubtedly if the scheme proposed in the Commission's Report were approved, and put in the form of an Act of Parliament, it would provide a great deal of work for the iron and steel industry of the country.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that Report is the unanimous finding of Conservatives, Liberals and Labour Members, and therefore it is an agreed Measure?