§ Sir ARTHUR MARKHAMasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the charge of £20 that he proposes to charge safety-lamp manufacturers for testing oil and electric lamps is made up; and will he give detailed particulars in respect to each type of lamp?
§ Mr. McKENNAThe amount of the fee has been fixed so as to cover as nearly as possible the expenditure incurred by the Government in connection with the test, which includes the charges in respect of the establishment and equipment of the station, the working and maintenance expenses, and a proportionate part of the salaries of the officials employed on the work. It is not possible in a matter of this kind to make any close estimate, as the number of lamps likely to be submitted annually after the first year is uncertain, but I have no reason at present for thinking that the average annual amount received in fees is likely to show any surplus over expenditure.