HC Deb 08 July 1914 vol 64 cc1066-7
7. Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSON

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he has any official knowledge of indignation existing among the commercial community of Calcutta by reason of the cutting down of the annual Grant for broad- gauge wagons on the Bengal-Nagpur Railway; is a proportionate reduction of the Grant for similar wagons on the East India Railway contemplated; is the shortage of broad-gauge wagons on both lines great and embarrassing; and is there any possibility of such an interference with trade and industry caused by such shortage, if it exists, being removed in the near future?

Mr. C. ROBERTS

The Secretary of State has not received representations of the character referred to. In the railway programme for 1914–15, £800,000 was allotted for rolling stock to the Bengal Nagpur Railway, and £1,733,000 to the East Indian Railway. These Grants fell short of the amounts for which the companies asked, but the Government of India have to deal with requests for money from many quarters, and cannot satisfy them all in full. So far as the Secretary of State is aware, the Grants mentioned have not been and will not be cut down. With regard to the last two parts of the question I can only say that, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, very large expenditure on rolling stock has been incurred for several years past.

Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSON

Is there no other method by which sufficient money could be found to finance these undertakings, seeing that the trade of India is suffering from the want of proper expansion on the railways?

Mr. C. ROBERTS

We are finding more money for railways this year than has ever been found in any previous year.

Sir G. SCOTT ROBERTSON

Is not the amount already found far too little?

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