§ 9. Mr. John MacKayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to waive the licence fee for the operation of active deflectors for television reception.
§ Mr. RaisonNo, Sir. It is necessary for the Home Office to make a charge sufficient to cover the administrative costs incurred in issuing the licence. The broadcasting authorities have co-operated in devising licensing arrangements which keep the Home Office's involvement, and hence the cost of the licence, to the essential minimum. We are grateful to them for this.
§ Mr. MacKayDoes my hon. Friend realise that some of my constituents who need active deflectors to get television reception will be disappointed by his reply? Does he realise that, in addition to having to raise the capital to install the deflectors, they find that an assessor will rate those small installations and that they must pay an annual licence charge for the deflectors in addition to the licence fee that all hon. Members, and most members of the public, pay for their colour television? Will he please reconsider?
§ Mr. RaisonI understand my hon. Friend's point, but the principle must be that a separate fee is charged in respect of each device for which separate technical approval and national and international clearance is involved. Subject to that, any proposals will be considered carefully on their merits.