26. Mr. Hobsonasked the Postmaster-General why the value of services rendered by the Post Office, without payment, to the British Museum of Natural History has increased from £880 to£3,000.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe correct estimate for 1957–58 is about £1,300. The figure of £3,000 was arrived at through misunderstanding of a change in practice at the Natural History Museum.
Mr. HobsonIn view of this statement, does not the hon. Member think that this mistake ought to have been found out before it was included in the Civil Estimates? What is wrong?
§ Mr. ThompsonIt would have been corrected before the Civil Estimates were published had it been found out. Now that we have found it out, I am taking this opportunity of making the House aware of this error.
Mr. HobsonBut this figure is stated in the Estimates. There must be something wrong to cause this great variation.
§ Mr. ThompsonI thought that my original Answer made it clear that the £3,000 was arrived at through a misunderstanding of a change in practice at the Natural History Museum. Now we know about it, and I have informed the hon. Gentleman of the facts.