§ 1. Commander BELLAIRSasked the Secretary of State for India whether there is considerable need for improvement in the economical administration of the railways in India and in East Africa; whether a transport board will be set up in India on the lines now proposed in the United Kingdom; and whether he will secure close co-ordination with the new Ministry of Transport, if set up, with a view to avoiding departmental competition and badly standardised material?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The Committee of inquiry into the future management of Indian Railways which the Government of India propose to institute will no doubt take account of any legislation dealing with transportation that Parliament may enact, and consider whether similar arrangements would be applicable to Indian conditions. The Secretary of State is in entire agreement with the hon. and gallant Member as to the necessity for avoiding departmental competition. The part of the question relating to railways in East Africa should be addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies.
§ 2. Commander BELLAIRSasked whether there is reason to believe that the low standard of efficiency of Indian railway administration has an important bearing on the famine problem which, on a small scale, is again confronting certain parts of India; and whether he will have the problem of setting up an efficient transport board gone into immediately with the view of assisting private enterprise to the greatest possible extent?
Sir J. D. REESBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether he accepts the statement that a low standard of efficiency characterises Indian railway administration which is postulated in the question?
§ Mr. FISHERI am about to answer that point in the reply. The Secretary of State is not aware that the standard of efficiency of Indian railway administration is relatively low, or that relief measures in districts which are suffering from crop failure are impeded by the inability of the railways to carry supplies. But with a view to ascertaining what improvements are possible, he has already arranged with the Government of India that a comprehensive inquiry by a Committee or Commission into the whole question of management should be made.
§ Commander BELLAIRSWill the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Secretary of State for India that he should inquire by a few test cases, such as the relative weight of the wagons and the goods carried on these railways as compared with the English and American railways?
§ Mr. FISHERI shall be glad to bring that to the notice of my right hon. Friend.
Sir J. D. REESMay I suggest another test, and it is whether or not the Indian railways have not practically abolished famine in India?