BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION. (Hansard, 17 September 1931)

§ 47. Mr. O'CONNOR
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action has been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the May Committee in regard to the increased revenue which might accrue to the Exchequer from wireless licences?

§ 65. Captain CROOKSHANK
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to adopt any of the recommendations of the Committee on National Expenditure with regard to revenue allocated to the British Broadcasting Corporation; and, if so, which?

§ Mr. P. SNOWDEN
The position as between the Exchequer and the British Broadcasting Corporation has been reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on National Expenditure. I am able to announce that the Corporation has agreed to forgo, out of their proportion of the revenue from wireless licences under the scale now in force, the sum of £50,000 for the period up to the 31st March, 1932, and the sum of £150,000 in the course of the financial year 1932. The result of this arrangement is estimated to give the Exchequer, in respect of the current financial year, £646,166 out of a total licence revenue of £2,050,000: and in respect of the year 1932–33 £775,000 out of £2,250,000. In addition 10 per cent. of the total revenue is retained by the Post Office in respect of the cost of collection, and therefore out of a total revenue from licences next year of £2,250,000, public funds will receive £1,000,000.

§ Mr. W. J. BROWN
Do the estimated savings include any provisional or other estimate for reductions in the salaries of the directors of the British Broadcasting Corporation, or, alternatively, is it proposed to apply the marriage bar which operates in the Civil Service?

§ Mr. SNOWDEN
The remuneration of the officers and officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation does not come within the purview of the Exchequer, but I am able to announce that reductions will be made on the same scale as apply to the Civil Service.

§ Mr. T. WILLIAMS
Does not my right hon. Friend think that this is a very good example of a successful nationalised service?