§ 70. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what are the estimated sums to be paid in the next financial year for compensation to shareholders in nationalised industries.
§ Sir S. CrippsThe amount of compensation in respect of railways and canals and of electricity has been determined and it is hoped that it will have been determined in the case of gas before the beginning of the next financial year. In the case of coal, where compensation is paid to the colliery companies and not to the shareholders, it is quite impossible to estimate how much of the compensation will be issued in the next financial year. For road haulage it is estimated very roughly that £10 million of compensation stock will be issued during the next financial year in respect of undertakings to be transferred up to 31st March, 1950. This compensation will also be to the undertakings and not to the shareholders. It is, of course, quite unknown how much compensation will be paid in the next financial year 'in respect of road haulage or road passenger undertakings to be taken-over during that year.