§ 32. Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELasked the Postmaster-General the amount of the Post Office surplus on commercial trading account for the year 1931–32; how much of it was received by the Exchequer as national revenue; and how much of the balance was or is receivable from Government Departments?
§ The POSTMASTER - GENERAL (Sir Kingsley Wood)Subject to adjustment and audit, the surplus or profit of the Post Office as shown by the Commercial Accounts for the year ending 31st March last was about £10,550,000. Services rendered to other Departments, whether borne on the Post Office Vote or on the Votes of the other Departments, are charged as nearly as may be at cost, and it follows that no part of the surplus was or is receivable from Government Departments.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELHas not my right hon. Friend overlooked the second part of the question, in which I ask how much was received by the Exchequer as national revenue? Can he answer that part of the question?
§ Sir K. WOODI had some difficulty in following my hon. Friend's question, but, as I dare say he is aware, the whole of the Post Office revenue, less the Vote payments, is, of course, received by the Exchequer.
§ Sir A. M. SAMUELAre we to understand that the Vote payments are not received by the Exchequer? If so, this would materially reduce the surplus on trading account received by the Exchequer as revenue.
§ Sir K. WOODI do not think that that is so. If my hon. Friend will study the accounts, and especially the memorandum by the Auditor-General, he will see the whole matter fully explained.