§ Mr. W. GRAHAMasked the Minister of Transport whether any sums have been claimed from, or paid by, the Government to the respective railway companies since 4th August, 1914, in connection with the liabilities of the companies under the Acts and Rules relating to their staff superannuation funds; whether, in arriving at the settlement of £60,000,000, mentioned in the proceedings of the House on 3rd May last, any account was taken of such liabilities; and, if so, what was the amount involved and how was it dealt with?
§ Mr. NEALIn answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question, I would point out that during the period of Government possession the railway companies charge to Government account current liabilities in respect of their staff superannuation funds of a nature corresponding to those charged as working expenses in 1913. In answer to the second part of the question, the sum of £60,000,000 is, as has been explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport, in the recent Debates in the2084W House, a lump sum settlement not specifically referable to particular items of claim.