HC Deb 06 May 1925 vol 183 cc956-8W
Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that on the North-Western Railway of India the posts of superintendents, inspectors, controllers, stationmasters, etc., are filled by 137 Anglo-Indians and Europeans and only 12 Indians, with the exception of Class E (11), in which there are 20 Indians to 57 Anglo-Indians and Europeans; and whether the Government of India propose to increase the number of Indians?

Earl WINTERTON

The numbers are approximately correct. It is the policy of the Government of India to increase the number of Indians as circumstances permit.

Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that goods clerks on the North-Western Railway at Karachi work ordinarily nine hours per day and at times 10 hours per day without extra pay for overtime; and whether the Government propose to take any steps in regard to this matter?

Earl WINTERTON

Nine working hours a day in two periods, with an intervening recess of one hour, have been fixed for the clerks referred to. The strength of the staff is such as to limit work ordinarily to 10 hours a day as a maximum, and the payment of extra wages when, as occasionally happens, these hours are exceeded, is not considered to be justified.

Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the racial distinction between European, together with Anglo-Indian, and Indian apprentices on the North-Western Railway of India in respect of payment for subsistence and hostel charges, which in the case of Indians is less than half the payment made to Europeans and Anglo-Indians on the ground that this difference represents the difference in standard of living; and whether the Government of India intends to remove this racial distinction by insisting on equal total pay for equal work?

Earl WINTERTON

The rate of pay for work done is the same for all classes of apprentices. The differences in the allowances for subsistence and hostel charges are justified by the difference in the cost of living of Europeans and Anglo-Indians as compared with Indians.

Mr. THURTLE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether clerks in the transit office at Hyderabad of the North-Western Railway work ordinarily 12 hours per day on duty without any pay for overtime; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to remedy this state of affairs?

Earl WINTERTON

The clerks referred to are 12 hours on duty, the work being intermittent. It is proposed to reduce this to 8½ hours' actual work.