§ 26. Mr. Bryanasked the Postmaster-General if he will give an undertaking that future changes in the price of the broadcast receiving licence will be referred to the National Board for Prices and Incomes.
§ 61. Mr. Dickensasked the Postmaster-General if he now proposes to raise the licence fee for radio and television.
§ Mr. MasonI cannot anticipate any decision about the level of licence fees, nor what measures might be decided on in examining the case for any future changes.
§ Mr. BryanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is not what I asked? I asked whether this matter would be put before the Prices and Incomes Board.
§ Mr. MasonI think that the case for presentation to the Board will have to be considered nearer the time.
§ Mr. DickensWould my right hon. Friend confirm that the British licence fee is the lowest in any country in Western Europe? Would he note that there would be strong opposition from this side of the House to any proposal to introduce commercial radio or television on the B.B.C. in preference to an increase in the licence fee or any other source of public revenue?
§ Mr. MasonI am aware of that, but the House should know that the basic source of the B.B.C.'s financial troubles is that the Conservative Administration in 1962 authorised the Corporation to undertake massive new commitments on the understanding that it would be afforded sufficient income to finance them, and they never carried out that policy.