§ Mr. STEVENSasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he will state the total quantity of general merchandise 1432W originating on the system of the restrictive railway companies conveyed by railway during the last period for which he is able to obtain returns since 1913; and what was the total cost, as well as the cost per ton and per mile, of conveying this general merchandise from point to point upon the railway, apart from any expenditure for signalling at junctions connecting terminal stations and private sidings with the railway; (2) if he will state the total receipts and total expenditure of the railway companies during the last period for which he is able to obtain returns since 1913; how much of that expenditure was for services and accommodation at passenger stations, at goods stations, including locomotives and signalling employed at goods stations, for road vehicles, steamboats, canals, docks, harbours, and harves, hotels, refreshment rooms, and catering for other separate businesses, and for miscellaneous and all receipts and expenditure other than for the conveyance by railway of passengers and merchandise?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANSome information regarding the total receipts and expenditure of the railway companies in 1917 and the two previous years are given in the issue of the "Board of Trade Journal," dated 2nd January last, but I am not in possession of the detailed particulars desired by the hon. Gentleman.