HL Deb 17 July 1946 vol 142 cc575-7
LORD BROUGHSHANE

My Lords, I beg to ask the second question standing in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the estimated increase to the Revenue of £4,700,000 by reason of the recent increase in the charge for wireless licences will form part of the ordinary national revenue, or whether it will be earmarked for any particular purpose.]

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

My Lords, the whole of the receipts from the sale of wireless licences are paid into the Exchequer and form part of the ordinary national revenue. The arrangements under which a grant to be voted to the B.B.C. will, after the end of this year, be based upon the licence receipts, are explained in paragraphs 69 to 73 of the White Paper on Broadcasting Policy.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

Do I understand that the national revenue has been increased by the sum of £4,700,000 by reason of this increase in the price of wireless licences? Do I understand that that sum of £4,700,000 goes into the general national revenue?

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

I think the noble Lord is labouring under a misapprehension. The net revenue accruing to the B.B.C. will be used to cover the costs of the B.B.C. The noble Lord will find that, if he cares to look at the White Paper.

VISCOUNT ELIBANK

May I ask why it is placed to the account of the national revenue and not to the account of the B.B.C.?

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

The noble Viscount realises that this is purely a book-keeping arrangement. The receipts are collected by the Post Office, which is a department of His Majesty's Government, and paid into the Treasury. They are then paid out again to cover the costs of the B.B.C.

LORD BROUGHSHANE

This is a very important point. Do I understand that the national revenue has been increased by £4,700,000, and that that sum is available for any national grants? If not, is the revenue of the B.B.C. now double that amount—over £9,000,000? It is very difficult to understand.

THE EARL OF LISTOWEL

I will gladly give the noble Lord any further information he wants, either in reply to a question or in writing, if he cares to communicate with me.

LORD REITH

My Lords, is not the answer to the question about national revenue being increased: "De jure, yes; de facto, no?

LORD BROUGHSHANE

Well, my Lords, I hope you will think that the position is now clear.

LONG EATON URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL BILL

CARDIFF CORPORATION BILL.

HIGH WYCOMBE CORPORATION BILL.

Reported with Amendments.