§ SIR HERVEY BRUCEasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If he will state the amount of mortgages to the Government given by the Railway Companies in Great Britain and Ireland; the rate of interest; whether it has been punctually paid; and, if not, what amount of interest is due in each case?
§ MR. HIBBERTThe total amount of loans to railways outstanding on March 31st last was£l,454,000, of which all but £94,000 was in Ireland, the rest being in Scotland. The rate of interest is generally 4 per cent, and there were at the date named arrears of interest amounting to £72,000, owing by about 10 different Companies. The hon. Baronet will find details of many of these loans at pages 30, 122, and 123 of the last Report of the Public Works Loans Commissioners.