HC Deb 11 March 2004 vol 418 cc1637-9W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what proportion of BBC licence revenue is derived from notional payments from persons aged over 75 years. [160682]

Estelle Morris

In the financial year 2002–03, 14 per cent. of the BBC's television licence fee revenue was derived from payments from the Department for Work and Pensions in respect of free licences issued to people aged 75 or over.

Mr. Todd

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many TV licences were(a) issued and (b) paid for in each of the last six years; and what the unit cost of the collection process was in each of those years. [159690]

Estelle Morris

All television licences have to be paid for, whether by the individual or, in the case of free licences issued to people aged 75 or over, by the Department for Work and Pensions. The total number of licences issued in each of the last six years, the number of free licences issued in each year since their introduction in November 2000 and the gross cost of issue per licence were:

Total licences

issued

(million)

 Free licences

issued

(million)

 Gross cost per

licence (£)
1997–98 22.4 — 4.88
1998–99 23.0 — 5.79
1999–2000 23.2 — 4.91
2000–01 23.5 3.0 5.61
2001–02 23.9 3.2 113.99
2002–03 24.4 3.3 6.00
1Licence fee collection costs were significantly reduced in 2001–02 by a rebate from Consignia for non-performance of contractual obligations.

Mr. Kaufman

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the cost is of the National Television Licensing Authority's Get One or Get Done advertising campaign; who pays for it; which advertising agency is responsible for the campaign; and if she will ask the authority to sever its connection with this agency forthwith; [158578]

(2) who in the National Television Licensing Authority is responsible for its Get One or Get Done campaign; and if she will make representations to the authority for the dismissal of the person or persons responsible; [158579]

(3) what connection the BBC has with the National Television Licensing Authority's Get One or Get Done campaign. [158580]

Tessa Jowell

As Licensing Authority, the BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system. TV Licensing's marketing and communications are carried out by the AMV Consortium under contract to the BBC.

The BBC has indicated that it does not publicise the costs of individual advertising campaigns, for reasons of commercial sensitivity. However, the corporation has confirmed that all such campaigns undergo a series of legal compliance checks before they are approved by the corporation.

The Government have no power to intervene in the everyday management of the television licensing system nor would it be appropriate for it to seek to influence the BBC's choice of contractors, staff or advertising campaigns.