§ Sir JOSEPH DAVIESasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the discontent existing in the Railway Operating Corps owing to the excessive hours being worked in France; and what steps he proposes to take to reduce the same?
Captain GUESTI am not aware of any discontent among the men of the Railway Operating Corps from the cause mentioned in the first part of my hon. Friend's question, but the desire to be quickly demobilised, and the idea that the Railway Operating Division will be among the last to leave France, have led to some dissatisfaction. The hours of duty generally of these troops are eight hours per day. The hours of the train men,i.e.,drivers, firemen, and guards, are dependent largely upon the state of the road railway, which has a tendency to become congested. In the case of an excess of eight hours being worked, equivalent time off duty is allowed.