Television Licences

HC Deb 26 March 1979 vol 965 c4W

Mr. Arnold Shaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the latest estimate of the number of television licence evaders.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for Sowerby (Mr. Madden) on 13 December.—[Vol. 960, c. 201–2.]

Mr. Arnold Shaw

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what would be the average annual cost to the taxpayer if the television licence were abolished.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The abolition of the television licence fees would have involved the addition of about £350 million to public expenditure in the current financial year.