HC Deb 26 February 1996 vol 272 c390W
Ms Lynne

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage in what circumstances the owner of two households is required to purchase a television licence for only one property when a television is being used at both properties; and what is the estimated extra revenue that would be generated by making a television licence compulsory for every household where a television is used. [16064]

Mr. Sproat

A person may not instal or use a television set except under authority of a television licence, which is generally valid at the single place specified in the licence. However, there has been a practice whereby the Licensing Authority has permitted people owning second homes not to notify temporary changes of address when moving between those homes, and thus not to hold a second television licence, provided that they confirm that no use of television ever occurs simultaneously in both homes. This practice is currently under review by the BBC, which has responsibility for administration of the television licensing system and determination of licensing requirements in individual cases. We understand that the BBC hopes to be able to make an announcement shortly. No accurate figures are available for the number of second homes in which television is installed. However, there are approximately 38,000 second homes with television for which, by agreement with the licensing authority, no second licence is currently held. If a full colour television licence were to be taken out for each such home, this would raise about £3 million in extra revenue.

Mr. Nigel Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage when regulations will be laid to bring into effect the television licence fee increases from 1 April. [17728]

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

On 14 December 1995,Official Report, column 753, my hon. Friend the Minister of State announced that, from 1 April 1996, the fee for a colour television licence would increase to £89.50 and that for a black and white licence to £30. The regulations necessary to bring these fees into force were laid before Parliament on Friday 23 February.