§ Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will amend the regulations governing the issue and surrender of wireless receiving licences so as to permit rebates to be made in respect of unexpired periods of such licences.
106Wcurrent term—or exceptionally to the end of the academic year—the figures are given separately for juveniles aged 15 to 17 and for those aged 18. The figures are as follows:
§ Mr. BevinsI am afraid that I cannot agree to do as my hon. Friend suggests. The payment of rebates on surrender of unexpired licences would mean, in effect, varying the licence charge to suit a wide range of individual circumstances. Since there are more than 15½ million licence-holders, it would be impracticable to do this.
§ Mr. K. Thompsonasked the Postmaster-General if he will arrange to issue quarterly and half-yearly wireless receiving licences at appropriately reduced fees.
§ Mr. BevinsI have considered my hon. Friend's proposal with sympathy, and I am sorry that I am unable to agree to the issue of wireless licences quarterly and half-yearly, since this would add unduly to the cost of collecting the revenue, and less revenue would be collected. Both the increased costs and the loss of revenue would have to be made good by art increase in licence fees.