HC Deb 03 December 1996 vol 286 c586W
Mr. Mullin

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when she expects to lay the consolidated regulations on television licences. [6616]

Mr. Sproat

The Government intend that the new regulations will come into force from 1 April 1997. My right hon. Friend expects to announce next month details of the changes to be effected in the regulations and the level of the licence fee also coming into force from 1 April. The regulations themselves will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible thereafter.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what has been the annual expenditure since 1991 on(a) refunds and (b) administrative costs of refunding television licence holders for unused portions of the licence. [6557]

Mr. Sproat

[holding answer 28 November 1996]We do not hold this information. Since 1 April 1991 the administration of the television licensing system, including refund arrangements, has been the statutory responsibility of the BBC.