HC Deb 02 December 1930 vol 245 cc2004-5W
Mr. LOUIS SMITH

asked the Postmaster-General the annual sum appropriated by the Post Office during each of the last two years from the total revenue of the British Broadcasting Corporation; whether this sum is on a fixed percentage basis representing the exact cost of collection; if not, what is the basis; whether the sum accruing to the Post Office is more than the cost of collection and, if so, how much; what amount has been handed over to the Treasury in each of the first two years; and what percentage this sum represents of the total amount received for licences?

Mr. VIANT

The gross revenue from wireless receiving licences is apportioned in accordance with Clause 18 of the British Broadcasting Company's licence, which was published as a Parliamentary Paper, Command No. 2756 of 1926. The Post Office retains 12½ per cent. of the total revenue to cover management expenses; the British Broadcasting Corporation is paid a certain percentage of the remainder based on a sliding scale; and the balance accrues to the Exchequer. The commercial accounts show that the Post Office retained £169,773 for management expenses in 1928–29 as against a cost of £152,028, and £192,172 in 1929–30 as against a cost of £154,811. The balance which accrued to the Exchequer was £291,885 for 1928–29 and £375,348 for 1929–30, representing about 21 per cent. and 24 per cent. respectively of the total wireless licence revenue for the year.