§ 38. Major Procterasked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that since broadcasting was instituted in this country up to the end of last year the British 774 Broadcasting Corporation received only £21,000,000 out of a total of £36,000,000 produced by the receipts from wireless receiving licences; and whether, in view of the fact that an extension of a television service to the whole country is held up largely as a result of lack of finance, he can now make arrangements for the Corporation to receive the whole of the revenue from wireless licences?
§ 40. Mr. R. Morganasked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the scheme of the Radio Manufacturers' Association for the immediate establishment of a television transmitter for the Birmingham area, under which the Association would be prepared to stand part of the loss involved if the scheme were not a financial success; and whether he has been able to accede to this request?
§ The Assistant Postmaster-General (Sir Walter Womersley)The total receipts from wireless receiving licences to the end of last year were about £36,000,000. Of this sum the Post Office has retained about £4,000,000 to cover its expenses, the British Broadcasting Company and the British Broadcasting Corporation have been paid about £22,300,000, and the Exchequer has retained about £9,700,000. The percentage of the licence revenue paid to the Corporation has been progressively increased, and under present Arrangements the amount accruing to them to cover all their services represents about 81 per cent, of the total licence receipts, while the Post Office retains 9 per cent, for its expenses and the Exchequer retains about 10 per cent. The question of extending the television service to cover the whole of the country raises numerous problems, both technical and financial. All aspects of the question, including the tentative proposals of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, are being investigated, but no decision has yet been reached.
§ Major ProcterCan the Postmaster-General give any indication when a decision may be expected from the Government regarding the allocation of money retained by them for the purposes of television?