§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on what plans there are in place to reduce the level of television licence evasion in Chelmsford. [61889]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 1 December 1998]: The BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration and enforcement of the television licensing system. TV Licensing, which carries out the day to day administration and enforcement as agent for the Corporation, adopts all appropriate measures to minimise evasion throughout the United Kingdom. Standard enforcement procedures are complemented by targeting pre-determined areas for higher levels of enforcement activity. It is contrary to TV Licensing's policy to publish details of areas due to be targeted; to do so would give comfort to evaders in other parts of the country.