HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 c846
15. Lieutenant-Colonel W. GUINNESS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the estimated loss to the State of £100,000,000 a year on the present working of the railways was arrived at after crediting the cost of the transport of troops and all other work for the public service; and, if not, whether he can give the figure of estimated profit or loss as thus corrected?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

The estimated loss to the State on the working of the railways during the present year was arrived at after taking into account the net value of Government traffic as far as that can at present be estimated.

Sir F. HALL

May I ask if the Government are bearing the same ratio as other people with regard to costs of carriage?

Mr. BRIDGEMAN

I do not know how the calculation was made.

Sir F. HALL

I will put a question down on the point.