§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why, and under what statutory provision, he has advised the National TV Licence Records Office that partial refunds of television licence fees cannot be made in cases where the licence is no longer required unless it is within 28 days of issue, a monochrome licence is being exchanged for a colour one, or two licences have been taken out when only one is needed.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Secretary of State has power under Section 3(3) of the Post Office Act 1969 to make partial refunds of television licence fees in such cases or classes of cases as the Treasury determines. On Home Office instructions, issued with Treasury approval, the Post Office, which acts as the agent of the Home Office in this matter, restricts the scope of refunds to the cases mentioned4W in order not to add to the cost and complexity of the licensing system.