'Mesopotamian Transport Commission. Report of the Commission Appointed by the Government of India with the Approval of the Right Hon'ble The Secretary of State for India, to Enquire into Questions Connected with the Organisation and Administration of the Railway and River Transport in Mesopotamia' [‎25r] (49/114)

39
al Plan
(7) The requirements of Mesopotamia as regards competent skilled workmen
should be brought frequently to the notice of all employers in India
(paragraph 77). •
(8) Pressure should be brought to bear on Europeans who are reluctant to
volunteer for railway services overseas (paragraph 78).
(9) All employes who volunteer for the duration of the war from Indian
Railways should be promised special promotion if they rejoin with
clean records (paragraph 79).
(10) The Superintendent of Recruitment should visit Mesopotamia and cer
tain other measures should be taken to surmount labour difficulties
in Mesopotamia (paragraph's 82, 85, 86 and 87).
(11) European establishment in the Inland Water Transport should be
closely scrutinized with a view to the substitution of Indians for Euro
peans in certain posts (paragraphs 99, 109).
(12) Sea-going Marine Ratings at present in Mesopotamia should be re
turned to India and more active steps taken to prevent their recruit
ment (paragraphs 104 and 105).
(13) Certificated ratings should, in every case have copies of their certi
ficates (paragraph 108).
(14) Certain sections of the railway should be worked by telephones and the
busy sections should be controlled by telephones and worked on the
Train Staff and Ticket system (paragraph 179).
(15) Two fast launches should be placed at the disposal of the Director of
Railways to run between Kut and Amara (paragraph 182).
(16) India should keep Mesopotamia regularly informed of the progress made
in complying with indents (paragraph 198).
(17) A general store should be established at Basra for all Transportation
Services (paragraph 199).
228. Subject to the recommendations just recapitulated our answer to the
questions in our terms of reference are as follows :—
Question {i).—Are the Railway and Inland Water Transport Directorates
in Mesopotamia organised and administered on systems which ensure the
most economical utilisation of the labour—both skilled and unskilled—-
supplied to them, consistent with efficiency and military consider-
ations ? If not, what changes in organisation and administration
are recommended ?
Answer {!). —We recommend a change in Administration, viz., the appoint
ment of an officer with technical Transportation experience to a
position in which he can co-ordinate the work of the Inland Water
Transport, Railway and Fort Directorates and thus ensure the most
economical utilization of labour.
We also recommend a change in the organisation of the Mesopotamian Rail
ways, viz., the substitution of a purely Divisional Plan in the place of
the present organisation.
Question [ii).—Is Mesopotamia receiving its due share of personnel consistent
with the claims of railways, shipping, and manufacturing interests
in India ?
Answer (2). —We have assumed that " the claims of railways, shipping and
manufacturing interests " means " such of the railway, shipping and
manufacturing interests as are essential to the proper prosecution
of the war," and the claims of Mesopotamia and other theatres of
war have priority over all other claims.
With regard to numbers, Mesopotamia has no ground for complaint. India
is doing its best to supply in full the demands of Mesopotamia ; but
the quality of some categories of personnel can be improved.