HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 cc1508-9
1. Mr. Hardy

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his estimates of the cost of collection of television licence fees and of the detection of licence evasion, in the current year.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Leon Brittan)

It is estimated that the cost of collecting television licence fees and enforcing the television licensing system will amount to about £24 million in the current financial year.

Mr. Hardy

Is the Minister aware of the growing anger that is felt, particularly by pensioners, at the 36 per cent. increase in the licence fee? Does he not believe that it will mean at least 1 million cases of licence evasion in 1980? Does he propose to increase the already hefty expenditure to which he referred in his answer?

Mr. Brittan

I do not accept that the increase in the licence fee was unreasonable. The previous Administration allowed the BBC to go substantially into the red because they were reluctant to put the licence fee up to the level that was required.. It is a slur on old-age pensioners to suggest that because of the increase there will be massive evasion next year.

Mr. Fell

Is my hon. and learned Friend aware that he can get rid of that burden on the nation by refusing to grant the next franchise to the BBC and giving it to commercial companies? If that diminishes the influence of the brontosaurus-like BBC, that will be a good thing, and if by doing that it stops some viewing that also will be a good thing.

Mr. Brittan

We are not considering that option, nor should we do so. Despite the BBC's faults—and every institution has faults—it is performing an extremely valuable broadcasting service.

Mr. Hill

Can my hon. and learned Friend say what percentage of moneys collected are received in payment for licences for black and white television? If it is a minimal amount, could not old-age pensioners be allowed, in the near future, to have black and white sets without paying for a licence?

Mr. Brittan

During last Thursday's debate I envisaged that over a period of time that might be a direction in which we could move to solve a problem that we all understand and appreciate. However, that cannot be done in the near future.