asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is necessary to delay the commencement of the new railway construction in Nigeria until the staff is available from some of the existing sections of line now being built: and why these new sections of railway cannot be thrown open to private enterprise?

As I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Middleton and Prestwich on the 17th of June, I am awaiting the results of reconnaissance and traffic surveys before I can decide what new construction is desirable. It should be remembered that a large programme of railway extension is being carried out and is still by no means complete. In the circumstances it seems premature to discuss the method to be followed in construction, but I see no reason to depart from that followed in building the Eastern railway.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL:

Do the Government ever ask for tenders for the construction of work of this nature; and, if not, how do the Government know it is not going to cost less by asking for tenders than by carrying out the work themselves?

We do, on occasions, call for tenders when the conditions are such as to make them desirable.

Sir F. HALL:

Is this not a rather big job?

Certainly, but we think, as at present advised, that the railway staff can supervise it.