§ * MR. O'DOHERTYI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury upon what terms the Treasury have disposed of their interest in the Derry Central Railway to the working company, the Belfast and 87 Northern Counties Railway, Company; what was the total sum due to the Government for principal and interest at date of sale; what was the amount of capital subscribed by the shareholders; whether anything is to go to the shareholders out of the purchase money paid to the Treasury; and whether the Treasury have made any arrangements as part of the contract of sale for a more efficient train service upon this railway than that which has existed up to the present.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe Treasury have disposed of the line of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway Company for £105,000, of which £20,000 goes to the Derry Central Railway Company for division among their shareholders and secretary. The total sum due to the Government at the date of the sale was £131,720 18s. 4d., of which £100,000 was principal and £31,720 18s. 4d. arrears of interest. The subscribed capital was £120,340. Of this £10,000 was subscribed by the purchasers, who are to receive nothing in respect of their shares. Besides stipulating that the public shall be afforded at least the same facilities as they at present enjoy, the Board of Works have arranged for a complete system of through rates and fares similar to that on the Belfast and Northern Counties line, and for a full and free flow of traffic of every description in connection with this railway.