§ 9. Mr. MILLSasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will, when apportioning orders for locomotives for the Indian state railways, take into consideration the products of the State factory at Woolwich which has been reconstructed at enormous expense for the manufacture of locomotives, and possesses a number finished and ready for delivery?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe suggestion will be brought to the attention of the High Commissioner for India and of the railway companies which deal with the requirements of the State-managed and of the company-managed State railways respectively.
§ Mr. MILLSWill special consideration be given to the fact that the Prime Minister assured a deputation that the Secretary of State for India would be consulted to see whether it was possible 1979 to take the locomotives under construction at Woolwich?
§ Earl W1NTERT0NYes, Sir. The procedure is, as the hon. Gentleman is aware, that under the present system the High Commissioner is the agent for the Government of India in making these purchases.
§ Rear-Admiral ADAIRWhat is the gauge of the Indian railways, and what the gauge of these locomotives?
§ Earl WINTERTONI was looking into that question only this morning. I do not think the locomotives will be suitable for the Indian railways, but I do not yet know what Woolwich has available.