HC Deb 20 February 1940 vol 357 cc1172-4W
Mr. Ridley

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount loaned to each of the undertakings concerned under the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935; at what rate of interest; and what amounts, if any, have been repaid?

Captain Crookshank

The amount raised by the Railway Finance Corporation, Limited, under the Railways (Agreement) Act, 1935, was £26,190,000 by the issue of £27,000,000 2½per cent. Guaranteed Debenture Stock 1951/52 at a price of 97 per cent. The approximate rate to the Corporation (allowing for redemption at par in 1952) was £2 14s. 8d. per cent, per annum.

Under the Agreement between the Finance Corporation and the railway companies, the sum raised was available to the railway companies (at the same rate) in the following proportions:—

Great Western Railway Company, 11/53rd parts (£5,435,660).

London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, 18/53rd parts (£8,894,717).

London and North Eastern Railway Company, 12/53rd parts (£5,929,811).

Southern Railway Company, 12/53rd parts (£5,929,811).

The expenses of management of the Corporation are borne by the railway companies in the same proportions. No amounts have been repaid; the stock is not finally repayable until 1st February, 1952, but it may be repaid on or after 1st February, 1951.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the amount loaned to each of the undertakings concerned under the London Passenger Transport (Agreement) Act, 1935; at what rate of interest; and what amounts, if any, have been repaid?

Captain Crookshank

The amount raised by the London Electric Transport Finance Corporation, Limited, under the London Passenger Transport (Agreement) Act, 1935, was £39,966,250 by the issue of 2½ per cent. Guaranteed Debenture Stock 1950/55 as follows:—

£32,000,000 Stock at 97 per cent.

£9,650,000 Stock at 92½ per cent.

The approximate rate to the Corporation (allowing for redemption at par in 1955) on the larger issue was £2 13s. 11d. per cent. per annum and on the smaller issue £3 0s. 8d. per cent. per annum.

Under the Agreement between the Finance Corporation and the transport undertakers the sum raised was available to the transport undertakers (at the same rates) in the following proportions:—

London Passenger Transport Board, 70 per cent. (£27,976,375)

Great Western Railway Company, 5 per cent. (£1, 998,312).

London and North Eastern Railway Company, 25 per cent. (£9,991,563)

The expenses of management of the Corporation are borne by the transport undertakers in the same proportions. No amounts have been repaid; the stock is not finally repayable until 1st August, 1955, but it may be repaid on or after 1st August, 1950.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport what amounts each of the four

Nominal capital of Four Amalgamated Railway Companies.
Company. 1923. Increase as at 31st December, 1938.
£ £
Southern. 149,467,772 12,322,231
Great Western 136,917,317 12,913,496
London Midland and Scottish 398,929,175 14,849,682
London and North Eastern 361,688,399 15,450,944
Total £1,047,002,663 £55,536,353

Standard Revenue.
Company. Standard Revenue fixed by Railway Rates Tribunal on 6th July, 1927. Subsequent allowances in respect of additional capital raised or provided.
£ £
Southern 6,631,479 464,391
Great Western 8,312,013 154,547
London Midland and Scottish 20,326,622 253,308
London and North Eastern 14,787,733 429,002
Total £50,057,847 £1,301,248

group railway companies received in 1939 by way of net revenue from investments in road transport undertakings?

Captain Wallace

This information is not yet available for 1939, but the figures for the year 1938 are:

£
Southern Railway 173,556
Great Western Railway 246,049
London Midland and Scottish Railway 384,694
London and North Eastern Railway 377,147
£1,181,446

Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport whether the undertakings now under the control of the Railway Executive Committee will still be required to publish their annual accounts?

Captain Wallace

The undertakings will still be required to publish annual accounts, but as a result of the financial arrangements covering the control period they will necessarily be in an abridged form.

Mr. Ridley

asked the Minister of Transport what was the original capital and standard revenue of the four group railway companies; and by what amounts they have been increased?

Captain Wallace

The following are the figures: