§ 4. Mr. KIRKPATRICKasked the Under-Secretary of State for India what has been the profit or loss to the Indian revenues of running the State railways in India for the five years ended 31st March, 1934?
§ Mr. BUTLERI would refer my hon. Friend to the figures given on page 48 of the railway section of the Indian Budget volume for 1935–36, which was presented to the House last Session.
§ 5. Mr. KIRKPATRICKasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the State railways of India use more coal purchased in the open market or coal produced from State railway-owned collieries; whether the State railway-owned collieries are conducted at a loss or a profit; and how much that loss or profit amounts to for the five years ended 31st December, 1933, and 31st March, 1934?
§ Mr. BUTLERFull information is not in my possession, but I will ask the Government of India whether they can supply it for communication to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. KIRKPATRICKCan my hon. Friend state whether the effect of this form of State control has in any way reduced the efficiency or the safety of the working of the mines as against mines worked by private enterprise?