HC Deb 07 May 1923 vol 163 cc1876-7
6. Mr. GILBERT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, in the case of how many railway companies in India the Indian Government guarantee the interest on debentures or any other stocks of the companies; can he give the names of the companies; and what amount of capital on each is so guaranteed?

Earl WINTERTON

As the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the answer:

STATEMENT showing the Capital Liabilities of Indian Railway Companies, domiciled in London outstanding on 31st March, 1923, the Interest on which is guaranteed by the Secretary of State.
Railway Company. Share Capital. Debenture Stock. Debentures.
Amount. Rate of Interest. Nominal Amount. Rate of Interest. Nominal Amount. Rate of Interest.
£ Per cent. £ Per cent. £ Per cent.
Assam-Bengal 1,500,000 3 300,000
430,900 6
730,900
Bengal-Nagpur 3,000,000 2,000,000 4 1,472,000 6
775,500
623,500 5
2,003,900
4,874,900
Bombay, Baroda and Central India. 2,000,000 3 1,000,000
Burma Railways 3,000,000 1,250,000 3
Delhi-Umballa-Kalka 1,000,000 300,000 5
East Indian 6,550,000 4 7,000,000
(Deferred Annuity). 8,000,000 3
3,500,000
Great Indian Peninsula 2,575,000 3 3,500,000 475,000 6
Madras and Southern Mahratta. 5,000,000 2,500,000 4 100,000
201,000 5
Madras and Southern Mahratta, Mysore Section. 1,200,000 4 500,000
1,276,000
South Indian 1,000,000 2,318,248 4 395,000 6
500,000
895,000

In addition, there are 11 small companies, domiciled in India, with capitals aggregating Rs.2,74,88,000, or £1,832,533, which have been given a guarantee of interest at various rates by the Government of India. A number of companies, all domiciled in India, except the Southern Punjab Railway Company, have also been given by the Government of India a guarantee of rebate from the net earnings of the main line, with which they are connected, from traffic interchanged with the branch to make up interest on their paid-up share capitals to an agreed figure.