§ Mr. Haseldineasked the Postmaster-General (1) how many prosecutions were successfully made against persons failing to buy a television licence during 1966 in the Yorkshire and Humberside region;
(2) how many television licences were taken out in 1966 in the City of Bradford; and what is the figure as expressed as the number per 100 families;
(3) how many savings cards for radio and television licence fees have been issued by post offices in the City of Bradford and the United Kingdom, respectively; and how many licences were paid by this means during 1966.
§ Mr. Edward ShortI cannot give the full range of information for which my hon. Friend asks. But, during the year ended 31st March, 1967, 8,898 successful prosecutions were undertaken in Head Postmasters' areas in Yorkshire, and 141 in the Grimsby Head Postmaster's area. 115,289 combined sound and television licences were held in the Bradford Head Postmaster's area on 31st March, 1967. Some 8,000 licence savings cards have been issued to Post Offices in that area. I estimate that altogether some half-a-million licences were bought in exchange for the cards over the last twelve months.
§ Mr. Haseldineasked the Postmaster-General what form of publicity has been undertaken to acquaint the public of the stamp card system of paying television licences; if he is satisfied with the response to this method; and whether he will publicise this method by television announcements.
§ Mr. Edward ShortThe scheme has been publicised by posters and display notices in post offices. Many pensioners' associations and savings groups have been told of it as opportunity offered. I think the scheme is generally known but am considering further publicity, including the possibility of broadcast announcements.