§ Colonel DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he can state what is the capital debt of the railways of India at the present time; and how the progress of the State railways compares with 50 years ago?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe total capital expenditure on all the railways of India on 31st March, 1926, was approximately £570,000,000, taking the rupee at ls. 6d. As regards the progress of railways owned by the Government of India, the following figures indicate the advance made during the past 50 years.
— 1875. 1925–26. £ £ Capital expenditure at end of year. 11,592,602 505,000,000 (approx.) Mileage expenditure at end of year. 802 27,500 (approx.) Net traffic earnings of year. 71,534 25,932,375 NOTE.—Since 1875 several lines which were then the property of companies have been purchased by the State. The figures for these are included under 1925–26 but not under 1875.