British Broadcasting Corporation.

Oral Answers to Questions — National Finance. – in the House of Commons at on 17 September 1931.

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Photo of Mr Terence O'Connor Mr Terence O'Connor , Nottingham Central

47.

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer what action has been taken to give effect to the recommendations of the May Committee in regard to the increased revenue which might accrue to the Exchequer from wireless licences?

Photo of Captain Harry Crookshank Captain Harry Crookshank , Gainsborough

65.

asked the Chancellor of the exchequer whether it is proposed to adopt any of the recommendations of the Committee on National Expenditure with regard to revenue allocated to the British Broadcasting Corporation; and, if so, which?

Photo of Mr Philip Snowden Mr Philip Snowden , Colne Valley

The position as between the Exchequer and the British Broadcasting Corporation has been reviewed in the light of the recommendations of the Committee on National Expenditure. I am able to announce that the Corporation has agreed to forgo, out of their proportion of the revenue from wireless licences under the scale now in force, the sum of £50,000 for the period up to the 31st March, 1932, and the sum of £150,000 in the course of the financial year 1932. The result of this arrangement is estimated to give the Exchequer, in respect of the current financial year, £646,166 out of a total licence revenue of £2,050,000: and in respect of the year 1932–33 £775,000 out of £2,250,000. In addition 10 per cent. of the total revenue is retained by the Post Office in respect of the cost of collection, and therefore out of a total revenue from licences next year of £2,250,000, public funds will receive £1,000,000.

Photo of Mr William Brown Mr William Brown , Wolverhampton West

Do the estimated savings include any provisional or other estimate for reductions in the salaries of the directors of the British Broadcasting Corporation, or, alternatively, is it proposed to apply the marriage bar which operates in the Civil Service?

Photo of Mr Philip Snowden Mr Philip Snowden , Colne Valley

The remuneration of the officers and officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation does not come within the purview of the Exchequer, but I am able to announce that reductions will be made on the same scale as apply to the Civil Service.

Photo of Mr Thomas Williams Mr Thomas Williams , Don Valley

Does not my right hon. Friend think that this is a very good example of a successful nationalised service?

Chancellor of the Exchequer

The chancellor of the exchequer is the government's chief financial minister and as such is responsible for raising government revenue through taxation or borrowing and for controlling overall government spending.

The chancellor's plans for the economy are delivered to the House of Commons every year in the Budget speech.

The chancellor is the most senior figure at the Treasury, even though the prime minister holds an additional title of 'First Lord of the Treasury'. He normally resides at Number 11 Downing Street.

Post Office

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/