§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how much was paid for each of the cable franchises and local delivery licences awarded since 1983.
§ Mr. Ian TaylorPrecise details of how much was paid for each of the cable franchises and local delivery franchises cannot be provided other than at disproportionate cost.
Applicants for the 126 franchises awarded under the Cable and Broadcasting Act 1984 were charged an application fee and an annual licence fee based on a scale related to the size of the franchise. Under the Broadcasting Act 1990 franchises are awarded by competitive tender. In addition to an application fee, successful applicants make tender payments: an initial cash bid payable in the first year and indexed for inflation in each succeeding year. A percentage of qualifying revenue is also payable over the duration of the licence.
Franchisees are also required to pay a fee for Telecommunications Act licence and an annual renewal fee. These are revised annually.