§ 29 and 30. Mr. O'CONNORasked the Postmaster-General (1) the approximate loss on the telegraph service as shown in the commercial accounts of the Post Office for the year ended 31st March, 1931;
286 (2) the total loss on the telegraph service from 1871 to 1931 and the loss for the year 1930?
§ The POSTMASTER-GENERAL (W. Ormsby-Gore)It is provisionally estimated that the loss on the telegraph service shown by the commercial accounts for 1930–31 will be £997,000. The total loss on the telegraph service for the 61 years from the transfer to the State up to 31st March, 1931, is estimated at approximately £48,300,000. This figure includes the estimated loss of £997,000 for the year 1930–31.
Mr. MACLEANCan the right hon. Gentleman provide the House with a definite statement as to the particular forms in which the losses occur in this particular account?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREIf the hon. Centleman will let me know what particular items he wishes to have—[An HON. MEMBER: "The Press!"]—there is a question down about that already on the Paper for another day—I will endeavour to find the information.