HC Deb 15 September 2004 vol 424 cc1595-6W
Jim Dowd

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what TV Licensing's policy is on the number of times a household which has declared that it does not hold a TV licence because it has no television is re-contacted to verify that declaration; how much such re-contacting cost in the latest year for which figures are available; how many households fell within this category in the most recent year for which figures are available, expressed(a) in numerical terms and (b) as a provide estimates for the number of trips, including an overnight stay, made within the UK by overseas and domestic tourists respectively. It should be noted that, at regional level, these surveys have a relatively high margin of error.

proportion of UK households; and if she will make representations to TV Licensing to make these procedures less burdensome on householders. [189036]

Estelle Morris

The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system and TV Licensing carries out the day to day administration under contract to the Corporation. I have therefore asked the BBC's Head of Revenue Management to consider the questions raised by my hon. Friend and to write to him direct, placing a copy of the letter in the Library of the House.

As part of BBC Charter Review, the Government will be considering how the Corporation should be funded after the expiry of the current Charter, including whether the existing arrangements might be improved.

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