§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will investigate the cost effectiveness of the collection of television licence fees by the Post Office in comparison with possible collection by the BBC or a commercial organisation;
(2) what is the cost of collecting television licence fees; and what is the total sum collected;
(3) what is the estimated number of television licence fees not collected and the sum lost in the fees avoided.
§ Mr. JohnThe cost effectiveness of the present arrangements for collecting television licence fees is closely monitored by a working party on which the Home Office, the Post Office and the BBC are represented. The possibility of improving the method of collection is kept under constant review.
The estimated cost for 1975–76 of collecting licence fees was £18.8 million and the total estimated revenue was £233 million.
It is estimated that some 850,000 households are using television sets without the appropriate licence and that the loss of revenue is of the order of £7.5 million.
850WThe television licensing system is within the terms of reference of the Annan Committee on the future of broadcasting.
§ Sir P. Bryanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future cost of television licences.
§ Mr. JohnI would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Warley, East (Mr. Faulds) on 7th February.—[Vol. 925, c.526–8.]