§ MR. HYDE (Wednesbury)To ask the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the impending deposit of Railway Bills for next session, he is now in a position to say whether he is prepared to propose the alteration of Standing Order 167, sub-section 1, so as to permit the payment of interest by railway companies out of capital during construction at a rate of not exceeding 4 per cent. in lieu of the present rate of not exceeding 3 per cent.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) I have communicated with the Chairman of Ways and Means, with whom rests in practice the moving of Amendments of the Standing Orders for Private Business. The Chairman informs me that he has conferred on this subject with the Chairman of Committees of the House of Lords, and that he intends, with the concurrence of the Lord Chairman, to propose such an alteration of Standing Order 167 as is suggested in the Question, but is doubtful whether, in view of the state of public business, a fitting opportunity can be 811 found for a discussion of the proposal during the present sittings. The promoters of Railway Bills for next session would not be justified in anticipating the decision of either House on the proposal.