§ 41. Mr. O. NICHOLSONasked the Postmaster-General the total cost to date of the Rugby Wireless Station; the annual expenditure, including depreciation and amortisation of capital; and the total revenue for the last complete year?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe total capital cost up to 31st March last of the Rugby Wireless Station, including 976 site, buildings and telegraph and telephone plant, was approximately £490,000. The telegraph services conducted at the station are only in an early stage of development, and the telephone services have not yet been running for a complete year. It is, therefore, difficult either to give accurate figures or to draw deductions from estimates. With this reservation, I estimate the present annual expenditure, including interest, depreciation and amortisation of capital, at about £123,000 and the annual revenue at about £57,000.
§ Colonel DAYIs it not a fact that this department of the telephone service is highly profitable?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI have already told the House that the telephone service at present covers working costs, but not depreciation and amortisation.