§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if the terms of reference of the inquiry into the future of the BBC include the possibility of scrapping the BBC in its present form and the creation of a new and cheaper form of public service broadcasting.
§ Mr. BrookeOur consultation document on the future of the BBC, published in November 1992, set out the key issues for consideration, including the range of the BBC's programmes and services and how they should be financed. I plan to publish a White Paper shortly, setting out our proposals.
§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) how many television licences were sold in 1993; how many unlicensed television sets were estimated to be operating in 1993; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is the estimated cost, per annum, of identifying and prosecuting people who do not have a television licence; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. BrookeTelevision licensing records relate to the number of licences in force, rather than the number of licences sold, and to the financial rather than the calendar year.
The number of licences in force at 31 March 1994 was 20.75 million. The estimated number of households with unlicensed television sets at that date was 1.61 million, and the estimated number with a black and white licence but a colour set was 570,700. The cost to the BBC of identifying and prosecuting television licence evaders in 1993–94 was £15.9 million.