§ 18. Mr. Terry Walkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many claims for refund of television licences were received by the National Television Licence Records Office during the last financial year.
§ Mr. WalkerDoes my hon. Friend appreciate that some alteration of the present arrangements should be considered, because many people who cannot afford to keep up the rentals on television sets find that they cannot get refunds of their licence fees when they have to send back their sets? It seems very unfair.
§ Mr. JohnI understand what my hon. Friend has said. However, he will doubtless be aware that the Annan Committee recommended no change in the refund policy. It is a fact that, even under the present limited arrangements, approximately £4 million was refunded in 1976–77.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIs the Minister aware that the problem of refunds will become acute if there is no ITV or BBC television to look at in 12 months' time? Will he speed up a decision on extending the licensing of those two authorities?
§ Mr. JohnThey fall for renewal in about 17 or 18 months. If necessary, pending wider legislation, Bills will be introduced to extend their charters.