§ 76. Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the remarkable improvements that have been made in the equipment and permanent way of the Stratford-on-Avon and Midland Junction. Railway; whether the expenditure on this work was paid for out of the Government subsidy; has he agreed to this expenditure; and, if not, how did the company make sufficient profit during the War practically to reconstruct its road, its bridges, and railway stations?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe amounts charged to the Government account by this Company for maintenance and renewal of way and works in the past five years were:—
as compared with£4,896 expended in 1913. The expenditure for 1918 and 1919 is under 27 detailed investigation and substantial reductions for 1919 have already been accepted by the Company in respect of work challenged by the Ministry as not debitable to the State. The whole question of railway companies' expenditure on maintenance, under the agreements, is now being considered by the Committee presided over by Lord Colwyn.
1915 £11,800 1916 10,014 1917 15,517 1918 20,592 1919 36,532