HC Deb 25 February 1969 vol 778 cc265-6W
Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the various licence fees charged in different parts of the country for the transmission of music in public halls.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Under the public general Acts applying to Greater London, the Home Counties and much of England and Wales, as amended by the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order 1968, the basic fee for a public music and dancing licence is £5. In some areas Local Acts apply: information regarding these cannot readily be obtained.

Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why different licence fees for the transmission of music in public halls are allowed to be charged in different parts of the country.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Because the regulation of public music and dancing is governed by a variety of statutes, including some 40 Local Acts.

Mr. Barnett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why he allowed a 2,000 per cent. increase in licence fees for the transmission of music in public halls.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the fee for a public music and dancing licence under the Public Health Acts Amendment Act 1890, which was one of those brought up to date by the Miscellaneous Fees (Variation) Order 1968. This fee had remained unchanged, at 5s., since it was first fixed nearly 70 years ago. The increase in fees payable under other more recent Acts is much less.

The Order was made after a comprehensive review by the Government of a wide range of fees following representations from the four local authority associations concerned.

Mr. Bamett

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the parts of the country in which, under his regulations, it is permitted to pay the licence fee monthly for the transmission of music in public halls;

(2) why he allows variation in the payment of licence fees for the transmission of music in public halls; and what action he proposes to take to bring about a standardisation both of the fee and of the method of payment.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Payment of public music and dancing licence fees monthly is permitted by the relevant statutes in Greater London and in some areas to which local Acts apply, and is no doubt designed to suit local requirements. Some degree of standardisation has been effected by the increase to a uniform £5 of the basic fee under the public general Acts applying to Greater London, the Home Counties and many other parts of England and Wales. The Government have no further changes in mind at present.