§ 75. Mr. Dyeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what profit or loss has been made by the Wissington Light Railway during each of 126W the past five years; and what quantity of sugar beet and other farm produce has been carried by the railway during the same five years.
§ Mr. NugentFollowing is the Answer:
Over the past five years for which complete returns are available the surpluses or deficits on the operation of the railway after taking into account the administrator's fee of £500 per year, but with no allowance for depreciation or interest on capital have been as follows:
£ To 30th June, 1951 192 deficit To 30th June, 1952 170 surplus To 30th June, 1953 429 deficit To 30th June, 1954 617 surplus To 30th June, 1955 496 surplus Over the same period the tonnages carried have been:
— Total Beet Other tons tons tons 1950–51 29,683 17,542 12,141 1951–52 28,654 16,611 12,043 1952–53 25,424 17,478 7,946 1953–54 24,177 17,170 7,007 1954–55 19,512 14,946 4,766 Figures for 1955–56 are not yet available, but present indications are that the tonnage carried will be very slightly above that for the previous year.