§ 56. Mr. FREEMANasked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the numbers of people of limited means who apply for wireless licences, he will consider the desirability of issuing a half-yearly licence where desired or allowing applicants to pay in two instalments?
§ The ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL (Mr. Viant)There are at present more than three and a-half million wireless licences in force; and the cost of collecting and accounting for the fees and securing the renewal of the licences is already considerable. The introduction of a system of half-yearly licences would practically double this work; and the additional expense would, I think, be out of proportion to the benefit derived by the public.
§ Mr. FREEMANIs it not a fact that there is a large number of people who would be able to take advantage of wireless if they had the opportunity of paying 5s. for the six months but cannot afford to pay the 10s. for the year?
§ Mr. VIANTThis question has been thoroughly explored by myself and with every sympathy for the course suggested. It is quite within the range of anyone to adopt the instalment system by opening an account with the Post Office Savings Bank, thereby depositing their shillings until the total of 10s. is reached.
§ Major COLFOXIs not the licence fee only a very small addition to the cost of the apparatus, and, if people can afford to buy the apparatus, cannot they afford to pay for the licence?