§ 12. Mr. Awberyasked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the licence for a wireless set used in a car is not transferable with the car; and, as a car may change owners several times in a year, if he will make it transferable with the change of owners.
Dr. HillA car radio licence, like a car driving licence, is in law a personal authority to the licensee and is not transferable with the car to another person. If the holder of a car radio licence sells his car and gets another, the licence can be made to cover his new car.
§ Mr. AwberyIs the Minister aware that, although the amount involved is very small, the principle is a great one? When a car changes hands the new purchaser has to buy a licence, and this may happen three or four times a year. That is quite unjust. Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter?
Dr. HillWhen a man with a car radio and licence sells his car and buys another he can continue the licence. I recognise that when a man who owns a car for which he has a wireless licence sells the car and does not obtain another, and does not at that moment apply for a new licence for his home radio, there is an absence of refund which might well be regarded as a grievance. I am now examining that question with the Law Officers.