§ MR.WALROND (Devonshire, Tiverton)To ask the Postmaster-General whether any allowance is made in the 1614 annual Post Office Estimates for depreciation in the value of the buildings and properties belonging to the Post Office, and interest on and redemption of loans spent on capital account; and if he can state what these would amount to at the usual rates.
(Answered by Mr. Sydney Buxton.) No allowance is made in the annual Post Office Estimates for depreciation in the value of Post Office buildings and properties. The expense both of erection and maintenance is borne on the Vote for Revenue Buildings, etc., Class 1, Votes 8 and 14. At the present time the only expenditure of the Post Office out of loan capital is that for the telephone system, which is repaid under Sub-head" R 7 of the Post Office Vote. The sum voted under that sub-head includes interest on as well as repayment of capital, as shown in House of Commons Paper No. 369, of last session.