§ 55. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the fact that five new engines were ordered by the Furness Railway Company at Government expense; whether he will agree to this charge on the Government subsidy; whether it is a common practice for the railway companies to purchase new equipment with Government money; and, if so, what action has he taken in the matter?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI learn from a speech of the chairman of the Furness Railway Company that five new locomotives have been provided by that company on revenue account. The Furness Railway Company has no arrears of maintenance to make up under the appropriate head in their accounts; nevertheless in respect of the first nine months of the current year it has debited to the Government under this head £120,000, as against £20,000 spent in the same period of 1913; after allowing for increased cost at present prices there is an excess debit of £63,263. The Government investigator, when dealing with the accounts of this company, will pay particular attention to this excess charged. As my hon. Friend knows, the Committee under Lord Colwyn is reporting upon these financial arrangements.
§ Mr. HIGHAMWhat does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "excess debit"?
§ Sir E. GEDDESIt is excess over what was debited in the basic year of 1913, after the 1913 figures had been adjusted to the present-day prices.
§ Mr. HIGHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman lay a Paper on the Table of the House giving a list of these debits?
§ Major O'NEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether before the coal strike the railway rates then in existence were or were not sufficient to wipe out the Government subsidy?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI have undertaken, as soon as the accounts showing the result of the increased charges are in, to communicate them to the House. I gave that undertaking a fortnight ago. With regard to laying a Paper, I do not know what my hon. Friend wants, but if he will confer with me, I will give him all the information I can.