HC Deb 19 May 1885 vol 298 cc940-1
SIR FREDERICK MILNER

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether it was the original intention of the Government that the Suakin-Berber line should be constructed by officers of the Engineers and Coolies from India; whether, after that the work had been entrusted to Messrs. Lucas and Aird, a corps of 900 Coolies were specially raised by Engineer officers to assist in the work; whether the chief part of the work was done by these Coolies and the Army generally; whether the work would have been done much more cheaply had the original intention of the Government been carried out, and the work been entrusted to Engineer officers and Coolies; whether, in view of the immense importance of a line of Railway being rapidly constructed to get up supplies in time of war, Her Majesty's Government will consider the advisability of at once establishing in the British Army a Military Railway Corps, consisting of men thoroughly skilled in the art of rapidly laying a line; and, whether they will arrange that a good stock of light rails, specially adapted for Military purposes, should be kept in stock?

SIR ARTHUR HAYTER

(who replied) said: It was not originally intended to construct the railway from Suakin by Engineer officers and coolies from India. The relative advantages of that course and of employing an English firm of position and experience were fully discussed. The decision was in favour of the latter alternative. It was part of the original arrangement with Messrs. Lucas and Aird that a large proportion of the unskilled labour should be drawn from India, England only supplying the necessary skilled labour to control and direct the unskilled Native workmen. The number from India at first was 400, not 900, the balance being Commissariat labourers. The chief part of the unskilled work was performed by Indian coolies and by Egyptian and Soudanese labourers, assisted, after active operations ceased, by military working parties. All Native labour from India was provided by the Indian Government, and organized under military officers, with the usual Native head-men. The Commissariat and railway labour was under officers of Engineers. Even if it had been desirable to construct the railway by means of Engineer officers and coolies, that course was not at the time practicable, the Indian resources in skilled railway labour being fully employed in India. There was no reason to think that the employment of Engineer officers and coolies, even if it had been practicable, would have resulted in any great saving of expense. The nucleus of a Military Railway Corps has been formed by the conversion to such duties of the 8th and 10th Companies of Royal Engineers, and the Secretary of State for War is also considering whether arrangements are possible for forming a reserve force of railway artificers. Fifty miles of light railway for military purposes are now in store, and will be retained with a view of contingencies.

MR. RAIKES

Is it the intention of the Government to lay on the Table the contract with Messrs. Lucas and Aird?

SIR ARTHUR HAYTER

I believe it is already laid.