§ 13. Mr. Willie W. Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future rate for the television licence.
§ Mr. HurdNo, Sir. The present levels of licence fee remain the basis of the BBC's income for the home services until April 1985. No consideration has been given to an increase.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes the Minister agree that the BBC services, both radio and television, are the envy of the world and at roughly 12½p per day represent probably the best value in the land? That being so, how does he explain the remarks of the chairman of the Tory party a week or so ago when he said that "very serious action" would be taken against the BBC because it had dared to put on a programme criticising the Tory party? What exactly did the Tory party chairman mean when he said that? Was that wee whippersnapper speaking for Her Majesty's Government when he used those words?
§ Mr. HurdAs I understand it, serious criticisms were made of a particular programme. I understand that those criticisms are being considered seriously. That has nothing to do with the licence fee or with this question.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it is not the rate of the licence but its scope that he should review? In particular, there are unfair anomalies whereby some old people in residential accommodation pay individual licence fees whereas others qualify for a group licence and pay only a few pence per week. Will my right hon. Friend agree to make a statement about the anomalies as a matter of urgency?
§ Mr. HurdThere are anomalies and we have been conidering them. The difficulty is that if the existing concessions were removed that would be very harsh; if they were to be extended to satisfy everyone who felt entitled to have a concession, the remainder would have to pay a very high licence fee.