§ Mr. Reidasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what studies he has initiated into less regressive methods of funding the BBC than an annual licence, and in particular the feasibility of replacing the licence with a surcharge on national insurance contributions.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesAs my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State announced on 29 January I am initiating studies on:
- (a) the future financing of the BBC and the need to find a basis for Fit to be enabled to carry forward its longer-term planning;
91 - (b) the question of free television licences or concessionary arrangements for pensioners and other groups; and
- (c) the possibility for improving methods of payment under the existing licensing system.
I hope the reports of these studies will be published, probably together, by about the middle of the year. The intention is that they will set out the facts, without commitment, in an orderly way for the information of Parliament and the public. The reports will provide the basis for continued discussion of all the relevant issues, including the feasibility of replacing the licence with a surcharge on national insurance contributions.