Mr. Monteasked the Lord President of the Council if he will publish figures showing the approximate total cost of the introduction of sound broadcasting of the proceedings of Parliament to public funds, divided between initial costs and first year running costs and, from information available to him, similar figures for expenditure incurred by the broadcasting authorities and companies.
§ Mr. William PriceIt is estimated that the total cost to public funds of the introduction of sound broadcasting of parliamentary proceedings has been about £200,000. First-year accommodation running costs at No. 1 Bridge Street are estimated at about £52,000. The expenditure on capital equipment by the broadcasting authorities has been about £390,000, and they anticipate that their annual running costs will be about the same amount. The broadcasting authorities have also contributed about £50,000 towards accommodation costs. None of these figures includes expenditure on future permanent accommodation for broadcasters in Norman Shaw (South), which it is now estimated will cost about £250,000.