§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Health the total value of loans raised by the local authorities during the past 25 years to 31st May last for the purchase of electricity undertakings, gas undertakings, water undertakings, transport undertakings, markets, parks, public halls, and working-class dwellings; the total amount of such capital repaid; and the outstanding debts on such undertakings?
Sir H. YOUNGThe returns in my possession do not distinguish between loans raised for the purchase of such 1647W undertakings and loans raised for other purposes in connection therewith. The outstanding debt of local authorities in England and Wales at 31st March, 1905, and 31st March, 1930 (the latest date for which figures are available) in respect of the services or undertakings mentioned (except public halls, particulars of which are not given separately in the returns) was as shown in the following statement.
Service or undertaking. Gross outstanding loan debt at the— 31st March, 1905. 31st March, 1930. £ £ Parks, pleasure grounds an t open spaces. 8,156,918 16,036,257 Housing and small dwellings acquisition. 9,018,126 444,688,813 Water supply 115,384,511 163,257,424 Gas supply 23,831,488 27,857,779 Electricity supply 25,638,762 106,544,442 Tramways, light railways and omnibuses. 25,315,339 38,462,223 Markets 7,736,374 8,152,441 At 31st March, 1930, sums amounting to £33,587,477 stood to the credit of sinking funds towards the repayment of the outstanding debt at that date shown in the above statement. The corresponding figure for 31st March, 1905, is not available.