Mr. ALFRED DAVIES (Clitheroe)asked the Minister of Transport whether the Railway Returns for 1919 will show the separate market or Stock Exchange values at the mean of the highest and lowest prices during the three years to 31st December, 1913, of each class of stock and shares which, according to Sir William Plender's calculations, amounted to £1,131,636,697; and, if not, whether he will publish a separate statement showing the market value of each such class of stock and shares, in view of the fact that the cost of the preparation of these figures for presentation on behalf of the railway company before the Rates Advisory Committee will form a charge against the Government and therefore ought to be available to the public?
§ Sir E. GEDDESThe railway returns for 1919 will not include any calculations based upon market or Stock Exchange prices, and it is not proposed to publish any separate statement such as that which the hon. Member suggests on account of costs involved. If, as I assume to be the case, the expense incurred by putting forward the railway companies' case to the Rates Advisory Committee and of preparing Sir William Plender's evidence was debited to working expenses, I will ask Sir William Plender, who is also the Government auditor under the railway agreements, if he will supply the information asked for and let my hon. Friend know the result.