§ Mr. Timmonsasked the Minister of Supply and of Aircraft Production whether he is aware that 40,000 square feet of factory space is being used for 40W salaries and fees in the years 1938 and 1945 to those employed and engaged by the British Broadcasting Corporation in respect of the various categories of broadcasting, namely, talks, entertainments, discussions, orchestras, solo performers, etc.;. what is the estimated expenditure in the same categories for the year 1946 and what was the total administrative expenditure, or estimated expenditure, in-respect of the three years referred to.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIn the absence of my right hon. Friend abroad I have been asked to reply. Below are extracts from the Corporation's accounts for 1938 and for the year ending 31st March, 1945, which were published (Cmd. 5951 of February, 1939, and Cmd. 6705 of November, 1945, respectively). The accounts for the year ending 31st March, 1946, will be published as soon as they are available. These annual accounts give particulars of programme expenditure under a number of headings, and show also the administrative expenditure, but I regret that it would be impracticable to analyse programme expenditure by means of the particular categories mentioned by my hon. Friend.
1944–45. Programmes. Amount £ Artists, Speakers, etc. 1,474,612 Permanent Orchestras 243,614 Performing rights 452,295 News Royalties 68,621 Simultaneous broadcast and inter communication lines 380,681 Salaries and wages 1,763,306 Sundry expenses 184,647 Publicity and intelligence 81,718 4649,494 Programmes total excluding lines 4,268,813
Management and Control. Administration Services. Salaries and wages 304,434 Sundry expenses (including travelling, Stationery, Postages, etc.) 33,476 337,910 Royal Ordnance stores at Carfin, Lanark shire; and when it is proposed to release this factory for industry.
§ Mr. BellengerI have been asked to reply. The premises in question are still in use as an Ordnance Sub-Depot. I 41W regret that it would not be possible to release these premises without interfering with the derequisitioning of other industrial premises which have a higher priority for release.