HC Deb 13 December 1932 vol 273 cc315-8

The Transport Stock issued to the Metropolitan Railway Company shall be distributed amongst the holders of the various classes of stocks of that company at the rates of substitution specified in the following scales:

Original Stock and Substituted Stock.

Brought up, and read the First time.

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I beg to move, "That the Schedule be read a Second time."

9.42 p.m.

This Schedule sets out the amount of the Transport Stock which is to be issued in exchange to the Metropolitan Railway Company, and the rates at which the exchange has been made in accordance with the settlement with that company.

Captain STRICKLAND

May I ask whether this again represents something that has transpired since the time when this Measure left the Joint Committee and was printed?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

My hon. and gallant Friend has asked that question once or twice in different forms. I think he is under a little misapprehension. The Bill was printed in July, 1931, and the House has decided that it should be carried forward into this Session in the form in which it was printed in July, 1931. The arrangement with the Metropolitan Railway Company has been arrived at quite recently in this present year, and, inasmuch as the arrangement was not in existence in July, 1931, it could not possibly be included in the Bill as then printed.

Captain STRICKLAND

I desire to express my gratitude to the Attorney-General for his kindness in explaining this matter, but the point I want to emphasise is that the Bill which is before the House cannot be the same Bill which left the Joint Committee.

Mr. D. G. SOMERVILLE

May I ask whether, in the case of the "C" Stock which is to be issued to the Metro- politan Railway Company, it is stock on which the dividend is guaranteed by the five main line railway companies?

The ATTORNEY - GENERAL

The stock of which the dividend is guaranteed is the Assented Stock, which bears a rate of interest of 3½ per cent. for 15 years and 3 per cent. for 10 years. That is the stock on which the interest is guaranteed by the five main line railway companies.

Mr. SOMERVILLE

What interest does this stock bear, and in what form is it guaranteed?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL

I thought I said that it bore interest at the rate of 3¼ per cent. for 15 years and 3 per cent. for 10 years.

Bill reported; as amended, (in Committee and on re-committal), to be con- sidered upon Monday next, and to be printed. [Bill 43.]

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