§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on arrangements for charging for TV licences in hotels and guest houses; and what revenue would be raised if such establishments had to buy a licence for each television set provided. [26505]
§ Mr. Fisher[holding answer 30 January 1998]: At present, a television licence taken out by the managers of a hotel covers the installation and use of television in up to 15 guest rooms, with an additional licence fee payable for each additional five rooms with television. The same licensing arrangements apply to guest houses offering units of overnight accommodation. Charging a separate licence fee for each guest room with television in such establishments would raise an estimated £31.5 million in additional licence fee revenue.
§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations he has received on the use of the BBC's increase in licence fees. [26425]
§ Mr. FisherAs at 29 January, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport had received 25 representations from Members of Parliament and 89 from members of the public about the television licence fee increases due to come into force on 1 April this year. As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State explained on 11 December 1997,Official Report, column 636, these increases are determined under a five-year formula announced by the previous Government. The Government consider that the formula remains appropriate. The increases this year reflect the additional costs faced by the BBC in launching its new digital services.