§ Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked 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. VIANTThe gross revenue from wireless receiving licences is apportioned in accordance with Clause 18 of the 2005W 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.