§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what licence fee is charged for the phonic ear; what increase there has been in the last 12 months; what are the reasons for the increase; and if he will abolish the licence charge in view of the importance of the device to the health of deaf people.
§ Mr. RaisonA fee of £12.50 is charged for a licence to operate a phonic ear. It was increased from £5.60 on 1 January. The fee is levied to cover the cost of issuing the licence and the associated regulatory costs. My right hon. Friend is not at present able to agree to exempt the use of this equipment from the licence requirement under the Wireless Telegraphy Act but this Department can issue a single licence to cover all the equipment used by an education authority.