HC Deb 30 October 1902 vol 113 cc1191-2
COLONEL DENNY (Kilmarnock Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that in an order for locomotives, placed by the East Indian Railway in 1901, completion of which was to have been effected by August, 1902, the Chairman of the railway stated that the Company would save thirty-nine weeks by accepting a German tender as opposed to a British tender; whether he is aware that the contract period for the German locomotives expired in August, 1902, that none were delivered in August or September, and that the order is not expected to be completed until the end of the year; and whether, under these circumstances, he will see his way to advise State-supported Indian railways to accept British tenders.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord G. HAMILTON, Middlesex, Ealing)

I have no knowledge that the Chairman of the East Indian Railway Company made the statement attributed to him in this question, but, otherwise, I believe that the facts are as stated in the Question. But while I wish to do all I legitimately can to help British industries, I cannot undertake to interfere in the manner suggested with the policy of the directors of guaranteed companies, who are responsible to their shareholders for the conduct of their business.

SIR WILLIAM ALLAN

Is the noble Lord aware that the German locomotives which have been supplied to the Indian Government have soft cylinders and cannot run for any long time without becoming useless?

LORD G. HAMILTON

I am not aware that these locomotives have as yet been supplied; I understand that the cause of the delay alluded to is that they have been subjected to precisely the same conditions of test as British locomotives.