§ Mr. SIMMasked the Minister of Transport whether the £36,000,000 in the hands of the railway companies as a reserve against arrears of maintenance can be used to pay any maintenance being undertaken today; and, if not, if he will explain how the railway companies propose to spend it, and when?
§ Sir E. GEDDESArrears of maintenance which could not be undertaken owing to shortage of men, materials, etc., during the War have to be made good by the Government at the cost when the work is done. The sum of £36,000,000 reserved is now nearly £40,000,000, and represents the residue of expenditure at 115 per cent, of the 1913 prices under the 877W heading of maintenance. The reserve in question is drawn on as arrears are overtaken, and the State has to make good the difference between 115 per cent, of 1913 prices and today's actual. What exactly current and arrear maintenance may be is a matter in dispute, as also the extent to which the fund in question should be drawn upon. The matter is one under investigation by Lord Colwyn's Committee.