HC Deb 20 April 1950 vol 474 cc320-1
60. Mr. Erroll

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, in the Economic Survey for 1950, the total capital expenditure on railways has been placed on a different basis from that used in the Economic Survey for 1949, and now excludes the cost of permanent way repairs and maintenance; and why similar steps have not been taken to exclude from The capital expenditure on roads the cost of their maintenance as against improvement.

Mr. Gaitskell

The only expenditure excluded relates to the examination and day-to-day repairs of the permanent way and roiling stock. Expenditure on work similar to the maintenance of roads is still treated as investment. The figures for capital outlay on roads were adjusted to this basis in the Economic Survey for 1949, when comparable day-to-day repair costs were omitted.

Mr. Erroll

Then why was the position not made clearer in the Survey itself?

Mr. Gaitskell

I think it is made perfectly clear in the footnote.