§ 66. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Minister of Transport if he can give the House the approximate figures of the total receipts of the railways in Great 246 Britain in 1913 and the latest available period; and also the total of their working expenses for each period?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Mr. Pybus)After adjustments of the 1913 figures necessary owing to changes in the method of compiling railway accounts, the gross receipts of the railways in Great Britain, including ancillary businesses, may be taken at approximately £135,000,000 in 1913 and £191,900,000 in 1931. The working expenses in 1913 were approximately £88,900,000 and in 1931 £158,300,000.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIn view of the very startling figures which the hon. Gentleman has given, showing an increase in expenses from £88,000,000 to £158,000,000 in the period mentioned, can he say whether the parlous state of the railways is due to the great increase in working expenses, and not, as is often alleged, to motor transport on the roads?
§ Mr. PYBUSAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, the question of road and rail transport for goods is at present under inquiry, and he might await the result of that inquiry.
§ Sir W. DAVISONBut I am asking the hon. Gentleman if the figures which he himself has given us do not show that, quite apart from the question of road transport, the railways are suffering by the increase in expenses?