HC Deb 15 November 1937 vol 329 cc1-2
2. Mr. Day

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total mileage of railways in India purchased and owned by the Government of India and the amount, expressed in sterling, paid by that Government for the same; the total number of employés working on State railways as at the last convenient date; and the mileage of railways in India still under private control?

Lord Stanley

The total mileage now owned by the Government of India, part only of which has been purchased, the rest having been constructed by the State either directly or through the agency of companies, is 29,722: the amount expended on purchase is about 1160,000,000. The total number of employes on State-owned railways in India at the end of 1935–36 was about 650,000: the mileage which may be said to be under the control of private companies is about 2,500.

Mr. Day

Will the Noble Lord say whether many of the Anglo-Indian employés have not been substituted mainly by Indians?

Lord Stanley

I am afraid I have no knowledge on that point, but I will look into it.