§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the number of owners or renters of television receivers who have not purchased a current television licence; what is the estimated loss of revenue; and what is the estimated effect of this lost revenue on the current level of the licence fee.
§ Mr. JohnIt is estimated that some 850,000 households are using television sets without the appropriate licence. The estimated loss of revenue is of the order of £7.5 million, and if this is related to the 18 million licences at present in force the loss is equivalent to about 40 pence for each licence in issue.
§ Mr. Goodladasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has any plans to amend the scheme providing concessionary television licences to the retired; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JohnNo; but the matter has been drawn to the attention of the Committee on the Future of Broadcasting.