§ Mr. Stratton Millsasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications how many television licences are in arrears for more than three months at the present date; how this compares with the position 12 months ago; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir John EdenAbout 33,000 on 1st July 1973, compared with about 31,000 on 1st July 1972.
§ Mr. Loveridgeasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will introduce legislation to amend Section 1 of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 so that old-age pensioners and others using communal television aerials are not penalised by having to pay additional costs over and above the cost of a normal television licence which would include an individual aerial.
§ Sir John EdenNo. These viewers pay the same television broadcast receiving licence fee as viewers with their own 137W individual aerials. Communal aerials also require separate licensing at fees varying with the number of connections but typically 4p per viewer per year.