51. Mr. WALLACE (for Mr. BOWEN),asked the Postmaster-General the gross revenue on wireless telephone services each year since the first service was initiated, the expenditure, and the net surplus?
§ Mr. ATTLEEThe figures are as follow: From the commencement of the services on 7th January, 1926, up to the 31st of March, 1927, expenditure £14,665, revenue £7,504, deficit £7,161. For the year 1927–28, expenditure £64,750, revenue £36,168, deficit £28,582. For the year 1928–29, expenditure £81,803, revenue £114,865, surplus £33,062. For the year 1929–30, expenditure £117,576, revenue £142,932, surplus £25,356. The corresponding figures for the year 1930–31 are not yet available; but owing to the trade depression, combined with the fact that substantial reduction were made in the rates of charge, they will inevitably be less favourable than those of the preceding year.