§ 19. Mr. KELLYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have taken any action regarding the Report of the Indian Mercantile Marine Committee, particularly in respect of the recommendation that coastal traffic should be reserved for Indian ships?
§ Earl WINTERTONI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on 27th June to the hon. Member for Merthyr (Mr. Wallhead) and on 21st November to the hon. Members for Darlington (Mr. Shepherd) and Doncaster (Mr. Paling). As already stated, the Government of India are opposed to the reservation of the coastal traffic.
§ 33. Mr. DUNNICOasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether any steps have been taken to carry out the 8 recommendations of the Indian Mercantile Marine Committee to compel steam-ship companies which ply along the coasts of India to admit Indian boys as apprentices and later on as officers, and in view of the fact that the Government of India through the Viceroy have expressed themselves in favour of this reform?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answer is in the negative. The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the attitude of the Government of India. I will send him copy of a recent question and answer in the Indian Legislative Assembly on the subject.
§ Mr. SPEAKERLooking through these questions, I have observed that some of them appear to have been copied out of the proceedings of the Indian Legislative Assembly; all from the same typewriter. I desire hon. Members to be a little careful in putting their names to questions which are offered to them by some outside body.