HC Deb 12 March 1973 vol 852 cc870-1
8. Mr. Sydney Chapman

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will publish a White Paper setting out the reasons for his recent decision not to alter the present system of television licence fees.

Sir J. Eden

I would refer my hon. Friend to the debate on 21st February. I doubt whether this would be a suitable subject for a White Paper.—[Vol. 851, c. 488.]

Mr. Chapman

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that an ever-growing number of the public feel increasing bitterness about the whole system of television licence fees, and that it would be a good thing if he gave the widest publicity to his reasons for rejecting the alternatives? That at least would remove some of the public's misconceptions.

Sir J. Eden

I shall try, with my hon. Friend's help, to give further publicity to the reasons deployed during the debate on the matter. It is a complex subject and, in view of some of the anomalies arising from the way in which the present system has developed, it gives rise to deep-seated emotions on both sides of the House.

Mr. Mayhew

Is the Minister aware that no answer was given in the debate to the question that his hon. Friend asked? Is he also aware that the collection of the licence fee is very wasteful and costly, that money is lost through evasion, and that six times in the past 10 years the BBC has had to beg Ministers for an increase in the fee? What kind of independence from the Government is that? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the BBC is more dependent on the Government under the licensing system than are many universities using general taxation as a source of finance?

Sir J. Eden

The hon. Gentleman put forward views of that kind during the debate, and I then said that I would consider them most carefully.

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