§ Mr. Greg Knightasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will abolish the black and white television licence; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what percentage of television licence revenue was raised by the issue of black and white television licences for the last period of 12 months for which figures are available; and what was the percentage in each of the five pervious years.
§ Mr. HurdWe believe that it would be a hardship to many people to make all licence holders pay the present fee for a colour TV licence. On the other hand, if we were to arrange that those with black and white sets viewed without any payment, this would substantially reduce the revenue available. The proportion of television licence revenue raised by the issue of monochrome licences during 1982–83 and the five preceding financial years was as follows: 465W
per cent. 1977–78 21.7 1978–79 17.8 1979–80 13.5 1980–81 10.7 1981–82 9.3 1982–83 7.8