§ 31. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Postmaster-General, if he will undertake that there will be no increase in the cost of a television licence to viewers in areas which do not receive the B.B.C. 2 programmes.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI cannot anticipate any decision about the level of licence fees.
§ Mr. DigbyWhen can the people of the South-West, and indeed other areas, hope to get value for money in this and many other Post Office matters?
§ Mr. ShortThis is not a Post Office matter, but a broadcasting one. I have looked very carefully at the question of a differential for areas which cannot receive B.B.C. 2. I have also considered a geographical differential. If the hon. Gentleman considers this, he will realise 645 that the only way of working a differential for people who cannot get B.B.C. 2 is to base it on the set, and have a higher licence fee for a set which can receive programmes on 625 lines, but many people in areas such as the hon. Gentleman's have bought a set of this kind, so this would be unfair. I am, however, looking into the question of differentials.
§ Mr. BryanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that everybody will be glad to hear that he is considering this? In that we have broken through the differential idea on colour television, I think that this should be given more consideration.
§ Mr. ShortIt is true, as the hon. Gentleman said, that we have established a differential with regard to colour television, but there are at least three other possibilities. All I am saying is that they are extremely difficult, if not impossible, but I am considering the matter.