Mr. BROMLEYasked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the fact that the grant of £60,000,000 to the railway companies at the conclusion of the period of control was intended to contribute among other things towards superannuation schemes, and that in the Irish Free State Railways Act, 1924, provision is made for a superannuation fund for the railway employés on a contributory basis, he can say if any similar provision is contemplated on the railways of Northern Ireland; and, if not, will he take steps to bring about the establishment of a similar superannuation scheme in Northern Ireland, seeing that one of the Irish railways operates both in Northern Ireland and in the Irish Free State?
§ Colonel ASHLEYFor the purposes to which the lump sum of £60,000,000 paid to the railway companies in Great Britain and the corresponding sum of £3,000,000 paid to the railway companies in Ireland may be applied, I must refer the hon. Member to the terms of the Railways Act, 1921, and the Irish Railways (Settlement of Claims) Act, 1921. I would draw his special attention to the fact that the application is in each case left to the discretion of the directors, and the answer to the last part of his question is that I cannot intervene in the matter.