§ Mr. T. Williamsasked the Home Secretary what has been the total capital expenditure by the Betting Control Board to the latest date for which figures are available; the amount written off for depreciation; the amount of debt outstanding; and the estimated assets?
§ Sir S. HoareThe Board's cccounts for 1937 have not yet been audited, and I am therefore unable at present to give figures covering the Board's operations during 1937. At the 31st December, 1936, the position was as follows:—Total capital expenditure of the Board (including development expenditure) amounted to £2,547,807 4s. 3d. No specific provision had been made for depreciation, but sums amounting to £483,971 0s. 8d. had been provided out of revenue in reduction of the book value of the Board's assets, and in addition a reserve of £52,000 had been created for renewals and contingencies. The amount owing in respect of borrowed money was £1,761,351 17s. 10d. (of which £1,204,076 14s. 3d. represented registered stock issued by the Board and the interest accrued thereon); and in addition there were outstanding commitments to creditors and in respect of accrued charges and grants amounting to £170,152 8s. 10d. Full particulars of the Board's assets are given in the balance sheet published as Appendix I of the Board's Annual Report and Accounts for 1936.