HC Deb 12 February 1946 vol 419 cc61-3W
Mr. Ernest Davies

asked the Minister of Information (1) how much the Post Office is to deduct from the£1wireless licence fee for collection expenses, and what percentage of the balance the B.B.C. will receive;

  1. (2) whether any of the receipts from the increased wireless licence fee will be used to finance television;
  2. (3)how the foreign language and over seas broadcasting services of the B.B.C. are to be financed.

Mr H. Morrison

Collection and other services by Government Departments are expected to cost about£500,000 a year or roughly 5 per cent. of the estimated total licence revenue. It is the Government's intention that, when present wartime financial arrangements come to an end, the provision to be voted for home sound broadcasting and television shall be a proportion, if necessary 100 per cent., of the net licence revenue after deduction of the Government's administrative expenses. The increased licence charge contains no provision for broadcasting to overseas listeners.

Lieut.-Colonel Sharp

asked the Minister of Information (1) why, seeing that there is an estimated revenue deficit of£1,500,000 on the£7,500,000 cost of sound broadcasting, it has been decided to sanction a 100 per cent. increase on the cost of a wireless licence,

(2) why wireless licence holders with small means are to be compelled to contribute to the cost of television development; and will he arrange to separate the two licences.

Mr. H. Morrison

From the figures which I gave in answer to the Question addressed to my right hon. Friend on the 5th February by my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies), it can be seen that the cost of the contemplated improvements in the B.B.C.s home sound and television services, together with the cost of collection, are expected to absorb roughly the whole proceeds of a£1 annual licence charge. The justification for such a charge depends, therefore, on whether the home listener can properly be asked to pay something towards the cost of television and my right hon. Friend does not think this is any way unreasonable in view of the substantial benefits which the development of television promises to confer on the general body of listeners and the difficulties of making an arbitrary segregation of charge. An additional sum of£1 is, however, to be charged to owners of television sets.

Lieut.-Colonel Sharp

asked the Minister of Information whether he anticipates an increase in wireless-licence holders in the future; and whether this factor has been taken into account before deciding that the wireless licence fee should be doubled.

Mr. H. Morrison

My right hon. Friend does not anticipate any material increase in the number of wireless-licence holders in the future.

Mr. Lipson

asked the Minister of Information if consideration can be given to granting old age pensioners, and widows in receipt of a pension, relief from the increased charge for a wireless licence, by means of a rebate of 10s. to be paid through the Inland Revenue, or in some other way.

Mr. H. Morrison

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave last Tuesday on behalf of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Information, in reply to the hon. Member and others on this subject.