HC Deb 24 April 1923 vol 163 cc276-7
58. Mr. HURD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why, seeing that the Government wireless telegraph stations at Leafield, Cairo, and Northolt are costing £93,750 a year, whilst the revenue for these services is at the rate of only £46,780 a year, of which a considerable portion is not commercial revenue, but a paper credit representing the charge for sending Government messages, it is now proposed to spend a further large sum of public money on an additional high-power wireless station?

Mr. BALDWIN

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on the 5th March, in which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister stated fully both the Government's policy in regard to Imperial wireless communications and also the considerations which led to the adoption of that policy.

74. Sir DOUGLAS NEWTON

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the Post Office wireless station at Cairo is costing £49,000 a year, whilst the revenue is only estimated at £6,200; whether, in view of this loss, it is intended to continue this station; and, if so, for what purpose?

The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Sir William Joynson-Hicks)

The actual expenses of the Cairo station, including salaries and allowances of the operating and engineering staffs, maintenance, and administrative and overhead charges are estimated at about £36,000 per annum. The balance of £13,000 represents the estimated provision to be made for interest and amortisation of capital. As stated in a reply to a question by the hon. Member for Wallasey on the 9th instant, the revenue of the Cairo station, which was opened less than a year ago, is increasing, the revenue for the third quarter (the last complete quarter) being 65 per cent. higher than the first and 15 per cent. higher than the second. The hon. Member would not be justified in drawing any inference as regards the future from the revenue received during the first year after the station commenced working.

Sir D. NEWTON

What sum does that represent of the 65 per cent.?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

It is included in the £6,200.