§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for War the number of occasions on which the military forces of the Crown were used in industrial disputes between the years 1900–1906 and 1906–1911, inclusive, and the total estimated cost of the use of the military for such purposes in each period?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)In the first period troops were only employed on one occasion, and in the second period troops were employed on three occasions previous to the recent railway and transport strike. As regards the additional expenditure involved by the use of the troops, complete figures are not available.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HALLHow many since the occasion the right hon. Gentleman mentioned?
§ Colonel SEELYOh, on no subsequent occasion. That is the last occasion.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODasked whether any troops were employed in running trains in Ireland during the recent railway strike; if so, whether their wages were paid by the railway company or by this House; and whether the profits derived from the running of the trains accrued to the railway company or to the Exchequer?
§ Colonel SEELYA number of Royal Engineers were employed on the railways 695 in Ireland in order to ensure, firstly, the passage of troop trains; and, secondly, the transport of His Majesty's mail service. They, however, only acted as drivers and firemen on three mail trains. They received their military pay, but no wages from the company. I am not aware whether profits were derived from running these trains.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODMay I ask whether the railway companies benefited by the running of the trains at the same time that the labour was provided for nothing?
§ Colonel SEELYI do not know whether they benefited by the running of the trains. I can inquire, but I should think it most unlikely that they did.
§ Colonel SEELYThis was done purely for the service of the War Office and for the service of the mails and for no other purpose, and to what they were restricted.
§ Mr. WEDGWOODIf the War Office paid the railway company for carrying these troops, surely the railway company must have made something out of carrying the troops?
§ Colonel SEELYNo, I do not think that follows at all. From the information I have, I should think there was a loss. I do not know, but I can inquire.