CO129-555-2 Estimates 1936 30-8-1935 - 29-1-1937 — Page 246

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22.

Estimates but the Government will be prepared to ask the

Secretary of State to sanction a supplementary vote if the

public response to the appeal for funds justifies such a

course. This is clearly a case where without public support

it would not be justifiable to expend large suns from the

public funds, and it is the present intention of the Govern-

ment, when the scheme is further advanced, to make its con-

tribution on a dollar for dollar basis as was recommended

by the Committee mentioned.

The number of broadcasting licences continues to

grow, and the Broadcasting Committee intends to increase the

number of days per week of dual transmissions. To enable this

to be done as well as to engage more announcers and artistes,

Government has agreed to pay a larger subsidy. Hon. Members

are doubtless aware that this sub-head also includes the

payment of £600 per annum which Goverment makes to Reuters

for their news service.

The number of Chinese employees in Government

Service qualifying for larger New Year bonuses has increased,

necessitating an additional $5000 for sub-head 30. The

increase in rent allowances for European Senior and Sub-

ordinate Officers is caused by the higher rate of exchange.

Whereas in other cases of sterling payments by Government

there is a saving in dollars as the exchange rate rises,

in the case of rent allowances the reverse is true, on

account of the fact that the difference between the rent

which the officer pays and of his salary grows bigger as

the dollar rises. The increase in rent allowances for

Asiatic Subordinate Officers is caused by the greater number

of officers qualifying, ly length of service, for the