§ Mr. SCURRasked the Minister of Transport the total capital of the British railway companies for 1913 and 1924 respectively, and how the return to capital was appropriated in the same years on stock bearing a fixed rate of interest or dividend and on stock on which fluctuating dividends' may be paid?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI would refer the hon. Member to the published railway returns for the years in question. As regards 1924, he will find, on page 12, the average rate of interest or dividend paid per cent. of nominal capital, both in total and in respect of each of the main descriptions of stock. While the total figure is also shown for 1913, the latter particulars are not ascertained for that year. In comparing these figures, it is necessary to boar in mind the re-arrangements of capital which were effected upon amalgamation under the Railways Act, 1921, and I would, therefore, draw the hon. Member's attention to the average rate of interest and dividend paid per cent. of the receipts from capital issued in the two years, namely, 4.17 per cent. in 1913 and 4.41 per cent. in 1924