16. Sir F. HALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated loss to the railways up to the present time due to the curtailment and loss of traffic and other causes arising out of the coal strike; and if he will state how such loss will be met?
§ Sir E. GEDDESI have been asked to reply to this question. The claims against the Government shown in the accounts presented by the controlled railways for the month of March amounted to nearly £3,500,000, and for the month of April to over £9,500,000. No later figures are available. The loss will fall upon the general taxpayer through the operation of the railway agreements and a Supplementary Estimate has been presented to Parliament so that the Government's obligation to the companies may be met.