HC Deb 09 April 1952 vol 498 c2715
2. Mr. John Taylor

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General how many television licences had been taken out in Scotland by 1st April, 1952.

Mr. Gammans

Twelve thousand five hundred and sixty on 31st March.

Mr. Taylor

Will the Minister not agree that this disposes of the facetious and unworthy statements in some London newspapers that the Scots have been having their television sets without buying licences?

Mr. Gammans

I am not yet in a position to say to what extent licences have been taken out compared with the number of sets sold in Scotland.

Mr. Taylor

Is the Assistant Postmaster-General aware that the number of sets bought would be greatly increased if he could persuade the Scottish local authorities to waive some of the many too stringent regulations which they have made for the erection of aerials?

Mrs. Jean Mann

Does the Minister think it fair that the Scots should be criticised for not immediately taking out licences when they are surely entitled to see if their sets are working? Would the hon. Gentleman convey something of the gratitude that some of us feel towards the engineers in Scotland for the absolutely perfect reception which we are getting?

Mr. Gammans

I can assure the hon. Lady that my remarks were not meant to be taken too seriously, and certainly did not refer to Scotland in particular.