Television Licence Fee (Payment)

HC Deb 10 March 1954 vol 524 cc2221-2

16. Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Assistant Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increase of the television licence fee to £3, he will arrange for payment to be made half-yearly.

Mr. Gammans

No, Sir. The cost would be too great. We are, however, examining the possibility of introducing a special savings stamp card.

Mr. Davies

Will the Assistant Postmaster-General give further consideration to this matter? There are very large numbers of people, including elderly people and those on pensions, who will find it very difficult indeed to pay £3 in one sum; and will he, therefore, give sympathetic consideration to the idea of a savings card or payments by instalments?

Mr. Gammans

That is what I have promised to do. I would, however, suggest to the hon. Gentleman that if people can afford to spend £60 or more on a television set they can save £3 for a licence in one year.

Mr. Davies

That is grossly unfair. It is a well-known fact that many television sets are bought by instalments, and if, in addition to those instalments, the purchasers must pay £3 in one sum, it is going to make it very difficult for them to maintain their payments.

Mr. Gammans

As I have said, we are considering the possibility of having a special savings card, but I confess that I cannot feel much sympathy for people who can afford £60 or more for a television set.

Mr. Ness Edwards

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that many people now have hired television and pay weekly for it? Surely in cases of this kind it might be possible to arrange for them to pay for their licences in two half-yearly instalments? That means only one notification, and I should have thought that this was a scheme to be looked at now.

Mr. Gammans

We cannot possibly make these licences payable by half-yearly instalments. The extra pressure on the Post Office and on the counters is now so great that that would lead to a complete upheaval. I have promised that I will look into the possibility of a savings card.

Mr. Davies

In view of the unsatisfactory attitude of the Assistant Postmaster-General, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

Mr. R. J. Taylor

Would it be too late now, Mr. Speaker, for me to give notice that, on account of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply to my Question, No. 14, I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment?

Mr. Speaker

I will receive the hon. Member's notice.