Television Licences (Hansard, 4 February 1998)

§ Mr. Stunell
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to regularise the availability of concessions on television licences in relation to second homes which are(a) mobile caravans, (b) static caravans and (c) dwellings; and if he will make a statement. [25755]

§ Mr. Fisher
Under the current television licence fee regulations, a licence for a person's main address also covers the installation and use of television in a vehicle, vessel or touring caravan and, provided that there is no simultaneous use at the licensed address, in a static caravan. If television is installed in a permanent structure second home, a separate licence is required. The Government have no plans to change these arrangements.
However, the Government's Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of the arrangements for funding the BBC after 2002. The Government intend to conduct such a review well before that date and to include in that review a detailed consideration of the question of concessions.

§ Mr. Stunell
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will authorise the introduction of television licences(a) with a monthly or quarterly validity, and (b) with a monthly refund of unexpired time; and if he will make a statement. [25756]

§ Mr. Fisher
The Government have no plans to introduce short term licences. The licence fee is a payment for permission to use television at a particular address rather than for a service provided. It is payable in full, regardless of the amount of television watched or the length of time for which the licence is required. Even if this were not so, the administrative costs of issuing short term licences and checking that use ceased at the appropriate time would be considerable, and could well require a corresponding increase in the licence fee.
Responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system, including the determination of refund policy, rests with the BBC. At present, refunds are available for full, unexpired quarters of the validity of a licence. In setting its refund policy, the BBC has considered the administrative costs and the interests of all licence fee payers.