§ 23. Mr. Mawbyasked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on the success of the recent measures to prevent television licence evasion.
§ 39. Sir G. Nabarroasked the Postmaster-General if he will make a statement on his campaign to diminish television and radio licence evasion during 1967–68; what further measures he contemplates; and what is his revised estimate of the loss of revenue this year from such licence evasion.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe intention to take new measures was announced at the beginning of November, 1966. In the year ending 31st October, 1966, the number of television licences in force increased by 330,000. In the year ending 31st October, 1967, the increase was 1,080,000.
For the two years I estimate that the loss of revenue fell from about £10 million to about £7 million.
On Monday next, dealers will start providing information about their disposals of television sets. From then on, my Department will increasingly be able to intensify its measures against evaders.
§ Mr. MawbyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these are excellent results stemming from two main actions—first the increased prospect of being detected by having more detector vans in operation and secondly the higher penalty? Will he continue to press on these two points because it seems to be having tremendous results?
§ Mr. ShortThe results are very good, so good that I have decided not, for the moment, to ask the trade to supply particulars of existing agreements. I have said that I will reconsider this in the middle of this year.
§ Sir G. NabarroMay I make a new suggestion to the Postmaster-General? As the principal beneficiary of the licence fee is the British Broadcasting Corporation, could he not arrange for the Governor of the B.B.C. to flash warnings periodically on television screens, drawing attention to the fact that non-payment of these fees is thoroughly anti-social and is resulting in a large loss of revenue, as well as depriving people who pay their fees of a certain sum of money, because the fee would not be so high if everyone paid up?
§ Mr. ShortI am grateful for that suggestion. I think that in this, as in one or two other matters, the B.B.C. could do a hit to help itself.
§ Mr. Maxwell-HyslopWill the Postmaster-General show equal enthusiasm for seeing that the B.B.C. does not evade its responsibilities to provide programmes which can be received by people in many areas who have paid for their television licences?