§ 88. Mr. W. J. BROWNasked the Postmaster-General the total capital cost and the estimated annual cost of upkeep, including depreciation, power, and interest charges, of office machinery which has been installed in the Post Office Savings Bank during the past four years; and how much of the charge was incurred in respect of machinery manufactured, though not necessarily assembled, in foreign countries?
§ Mr. VIANTThe total capital cost of office machinery installed in the Post Office Savings Bank during the last four years is £22,400. The corresponding cost of upkeep, including depreciation, power and interest charges, is estimated at about £3,000 a year. It is impracticable to estimate how much of the cost is in respect of machinery 'manufactured in foreign countries. Much of the machinery consists of parts which, though of foreign origin, are partially or wholly assembled in this country, and the cost of the foreign parts is inextricably merged with the marketing costs and profits of British companies.