§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what plans she has to extend the hotel licence scheme for television licences to cover caravan sites and holiday homes; [11537]
(2) how many representations she has received from caravan site owners and those letting holiday homes expressing dissatisfaction with the regulations governing television licences for static holiday caravans and holiday homes. [11538]
§ Mr. SproatAs announced on 18 July last year,Official Report, columns 601-02, the Government intend to bring forward regulations to take account of changes in the use of television in recent years, including use in vehicles and vessels. Since that date, the Government have received over 520 representations on the licensing requirements for second homes and caravans. Our records do not readily identify precisely how many of these were from caravan site owners and people letting holiday homes expressing dissatisfaction with the current regulations; however, we estimate that they make up only a very small proportion.
Caravan sites and holiday home complexes which provide units of overnight accommodation are already eligible for the special hotel licence. In the near future, the Government will make a detailed announcement on the new licensing requirements, including any that affect static holiday caravans and holiday homes. The new requirements will be incorporated into consolidated television licence fee regulations which will be laid so as to come into affect on 1 April 1997.