§ MR. R. W. PERKS (Lincolnshire, Louth)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what rate of wages the directors of the Mombasa-Uganda Railway have agreed to pay the native workmen imported from India for the purpose of building that railway; and whether any agreements have been entered into with such employés; and if so, what are the terms of such agreements?
MR. CURZONThe greater part of the native workmen imported from India for the construction of the railway are serving under agreements, the terms of which as to pay, nature and termination of labour, and repatriation, have been approved by the Government of India. The remainder are under agreements with sub-contractors, in which the Indian Government have required alterations to be made, which are in course of being carried into effect. Every suggestion on the subject made by the Indian Government has been at once adopted. The minimum rate of wages has been hitherto fixed by the agreements at no less than 15 rupees a month with free rations, but the Indian Government admit that the future minimum wage is a question for discussion.
§ MR. T. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)Is there a Board of Directors I Who are the Directors?
MR. CURZONsaid that there was not a Board of Directors because the railway was being constructed by the Government. The management was in the hands of a committee. There were local engineers and managers responsible for the works on the spot.