HC Deb 28 July 1910 vol 19 cc2340-1
Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will say what is the exact amount of the Australian public debt, and how much of this debt has been invested in reproductive public works, such as railways, tramways, harbours, and roads; if he can say what is the amount earned annually by the Australian railways; how much is expended in their working expenses; how much is devoted to interest on loans; whether he can state what relation the value of the railways and other public works has to the total of the Australian public debt; and whether there is any portion of the British Empire where the public debt is so largely represented in useful public works as in Australia?

Colonel SEELY

I am indebted to the High Commissioner for the Commonwealth of Australia for the following statement:—"The amount of the Australian Public Debt up to 30th June, 1909, was £251,733,533. Of this amount, £202,421,652 has been spent on reproductive works such as railways, tramways, telegraphs and telephones, water supply and harbours. In addition to the amount spent on the works specified above, the sum of £16,644,074 has been spent upon objects bearing immediately on the development of the country, such as roads, mines, advances to settlers, land purchase for settlers, loans to certain bodies, and rabbit-proof fences. This must be regarded as expenditure contributing largely to Australian progress, and a large portion is to be repaid. On public buildings and State schools, and other public works and purposes, a further sum of £16,380,884 has been spent. On immigration, which is a very important source of Australian progress, the sum of £3,254,005 has been spent. These items together amount to £238,700,615. The total earning of the Government railways was £14,750,000 for the year ending 30th June, 1909, and the total working cost was £8,826,000, which is equal to 59.84 per cent. of the gross earnings. The interest paid on loans for railways for the year ending 30th June, 1909, was £5,102,000, and the profit on the railways, after payment for interest, working expenses, and other charges, was £821,000." I fear I am not in a position to answer the last part of my hon. Friend's question. It would be very difficult, and might be invidious, to compare the public debts of the different parts of the Empire from the point of view of reproductiveness, but it is clear that, tried by this test, Australia would in any case stand very high.

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, as a matter of fact, there is any country in the world which has better public works than Australia?

Colonel SEELY

Speaking off-hand, I should doubt whether any country has better public works than Australia.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the £3,000,000 to which he alluded as being spent on immigration by Australia was spent on emigration from this country?

Colonel SEELY

Well, most of it would be, because the greater proportion of the emigrants who go to Australia go from this country.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Can we have the particulars of the amount?

Colonel SEELY

I do not carry them in my head.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

No, Sir; but will you give them?

Colonel SEELY

Yes.