§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans his Department has to review the present levels of television licence charges; and if he will make a statement. [24653]
§ Mr. FisherAs my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 11 December 1997,Official Report column 636, the Government have considered the five-year television licence fee formula announced by the previous Government in December 1996, and have concluded that it remains appropriate. The formula, based on advice from independent consultants, provides for cumulative fee increases of just below RPI for the five years from April 1997. The RPI-linkage in individual 36W years reflects anticipated spending pressures and, in the latter years, the benefits of BBC efficiency savings and the development of alternative sources of revenue.
The Government's Agreement with the BBC provides for a review of the arrangements for funding the BBC after 2002. The Government intend to conduct such a review well before that date and to include in that review a detailed consideration of the question of concessions.