HC Deb 27 November 1975 vol 901 cc241-3W
Mr. Eldon Griffiths

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many television licence fee evaders were traced during the last period for which figures are available; what was the

orders have been made; what are the ages of the people in respect of whom such orders have been made; and how many and what percentage of such orders were made in respect of offences in connection with football hooliganism.

Dr. Summerskill

The Crown court and all magistrates' courts in England and Wales are empowered to make such orders in the case of any offender who lives in any petty sessions area where community service arrangements exist and in whose case the other necessary statutory requirements are met. The number and age of persons made the subjects of such orders during the periods 1st January 1973–31st March 1975, when community service arrangements were in force in six probation areas on an experimental basis only, and 1st April 1975–31st July 1975, when arrangements were extended to additional areas, are as follows:

total revenue collected; and what was the cost of collection.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

In the year 1974–75, 52,915 persons were convicted of unlicensed use of television. Total television licence revenues was £162.9 million and total cost of collection and enforcement £14.3 million.

Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conditions have to be met for the issue of a communal television licence to retirement pensioners; and whether he has any plans to offer a lower licence fee to all pensioners.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

The old persons' homes television licence is available to retired people of pensionable age living in accommodation which qualifies for the licence under the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadcast Licence Charges and Exemption) Regulations 1970 (SI, 1970, No. 548). As my right hon. Friend explained on 5th August in reply to a Question from my hon. Friend the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden)—[Vol. 897, c. 149–50.]—we have no plans to make any change in the system for the time being, but have drawn this matter to the attention of the Annan Committee which is inquiring into the future of broadcasting.