§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what was the cost to the Exchequer of establishing, operating and protecting the Francis-town wireless station in each of the calendar years 1966 and 1967, and this year to the latest available date.
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§ Mr. WhitlockThe cost of installing the Francistown radio station in 1965 was £255,000.
Running and protection costs in 1966, 1967 and 1968 until the radio station ceased operations on 31st March were as follows:—
1966 running costs approximately £100,000 Protection costs £111,500 1967 running costs approximately £100,000 Protection costs £142,500 1968 running costs approximately £30,000 Now that the station has been closed it is proposed, as the House has been informed in a Treasury Minute laid on 10th May, to make a gift to the Botswana Government of the short-wave transmitter and ancillary equipment. The remaining equipment will be used elsewhere or sold.