§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration has been given to the possible change in the number of people that might be imprisoned for the non-payment of a television licence fine following the introduction of a weekly cash instalment scheme for the payment of the television licence; and what discussions his Department has had with the Department of National Heritage on this issue. [26857]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer I May 1996]: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the National Heritage has given approval in principle for the BBC to introduce a cash instalment scheme for television licence payment. The scheme is expected to be piloted by the BBC later this year, and this will assist those who find it difficult to pay for a television licence by existing methods. Television licence evasion remains, however, a criminal offence punishable by a fine. It is the non-payment of such a fine that can result in imprisonment, but only where that default is the result of wilful refusal or culpable neglect.
My right hon and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor has established a working group, which includes representatives of the Magistrates' Association and Justices' Clerks' Society, to identify ways of improving the effectiveness of fine enforcement.