§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what prior notice and publicity of the recent increase in TV licence fee charges was given(a) in Stoke on Trent North and (b) nationally.
§ Mr. RentonThe increase from 1 April 1989 was announced to the House by my right hon. Friend on 27 October 1988, and was widely reported. Counter grille notices were displayed at Post Offices from 20 March. Reminders were also enclosed with renewal notices for licences expiring on 31 March; though I understand that in some areas these were delayed in the post. The Post Office is inquiring into the reasons for this.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the level of TV licence fees(a) generally, (b) for the elderly and (c) for those in sheltered accommodation.
§ Mr. RentonIncreases in the standard licence fee will remain linked to RPI increases until April 1991. There are no plans to alter these arrangements before then. Licence fees for the elderly and those in sheltered accommodation have been discussed on a number of occasions, and we are not persuaded of the need for further review.