HC Deb 17 November 1971 vol 826 c404
18. Mr. Hardy

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what are the costs incurred per aerial in the administration of the system of licensing communal aerials under the terms of the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949.

Mr. Chataway

The information is not available in the form requested by the hon. Member. But I am satisfied that the cost of administering the licence system will be no more than covered by the licence fees and charges collected.

Mr. Hardy

In view of that, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter? We appreciate that the necessary supervision under the Act must be maintained, but would not he consider abolishing the fee to encourage the use of more communal aerials rather than a proliferation of independent aerials?

Mr. Chataway

I have a responsibility under the Act to ensure that no piece of wireless telegraphy apparatus causes harmful interference with another. It costs money to monitor that. Therefore, I believe that it is reasonable to expect the users rather than the general taxpayers to meet the cost.