§ Sir B. CHADWICKasked the Postmaster-General why in the Post Office Commercial Accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1922, which has just been issued, there is no charge made in the accounts of the Post Office wireless services for the salaries, wages, and allowances of the engineering staff; to what extent the loss on these services would be increased if these charges were included, whether any figure appears on the expenditure side of these commercial accounts for the overhead charges of the Post Office, the use of the land lines, and for the collection and delivery of telegrams; and, if these items are not included, will he state what would be the proper sum, having regard particularly to the charges made against the private wireless and cable companies for the collection and delivery of telegrams?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSProvision for the salaries, wages and allowances of the engineering staff engaged on Post Office wireless services is included in the relative commercial accounts for the year ended 31st March, 1022, under the heading "Maintenance of stations—salaries, wages and incidental expenses," and under the plant charges for interest and depreciation. The overhead charges are included under the headings "Administrative expenses" and "Pensions liability." The expenditure and revenue in respect of the collection and delivery of the telegrams and their landline transmission are excluded from the account, which relates solely to the wireless portion of the service.