§ 20. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will make a further statement on the progress made in the elimination of evasion of payment of television licence fees in the last six months; and what plans he has for intensifying the campaign of detection.
§ Mr. ChatawayI estimate that, in the six months ending 31st December, 1970, the number of television licence evaders was reduced from 942,000 to 804,000, as a direct result of the improved techniques for combating evasion mentioned in my reply to the hon. Member's Question on 2nd November. These efforts will continue.—[Vol. 805, c. 658.]
§ Mr. HamiltonCan the Minister make any assessment of where the maximum number of evaders are? Are they in South Worcestershire, for example?
§ Sir G. NabarroOn a point of order. Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the hon. Gentleman to refer to the apprehension of malefactors in South Worcestershire when there are every bit as many in West Fife?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is not a point of order. The hon. Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) was asking for information.
§ Mr. HamiltonI was merely trying to ascertain where the evaders were, and I was suggesting possible lines of investigation to the Minister. What further steps is the Minister taking to reduce the number of evaders which he stated to be 800,000 at the last count? Is it shortage of manpower and shortage of vans which prevents him from reducing the number?
§ Mr. ChatawayWe will continue existing campaigns and, I hope, reduce the figure still further. I do not have details 901 of the areas which have the highest concentrations of evaders.
§ Mr. Gregor MackenzieAs the B.B.C. is not the culprit, has the Minister given serious attention to handing over to the Corporation the amount of money which would be collected were it not for the evasion?
§ Mr. ChatawayNot very serious attention, because I do not think that it would be justifiable to pay from the taxpayer a sum equivalent to that which is now lost through evasion.