§ 14. Mr. Loughlinasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is the number of radio and television licences issued by the Post Office valid for a period of less than one year for which a full yearly fee is charged.
§ Mr. ChatawayThe full licence fee is payable by law irrespective of the period for which a licence is issued. I have no figures showing how many licences are issued for less than one year.
§ Mr. LoughlinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a person takes out a licence on, say 23rd August, that licence is back-dated to 31st July, so that he has 11 months' value for a fee which is supposed to cover 12 months? If a commercial organisation indulged in that practice, the general manager would find himself in gaol. It is a fraudulent practice. Will the right hon. Gentleman look at the problem with a view to introducing a system similar to that applying to the driving licence, which is dated from the time when one procures it?
§ Mr. ChatawayI do not believe that the arrangement the hon. Gentleman describes is general. But I am obviously extremely anxious to avoid the fate to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and I shall look at any specific instance he cares to send to me.