HC Deb 14 February 1977 vol 926 c25W
Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will ensure that the proposed increase in the BBC licence fee is no greater than the increase in average earnings;

(2) to what extent he takes into account the failure of an individual BBC service such as BBC local radio, in deciding whether to put before Parliament an increase in the licence fee.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Without accepting the assumptions stated or implied in the hon. Gentleman's Questions, I can assure him that, in deciding upon the amounts of any increases in the television licence fees, I shall take all relevant considerations into account.