Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will discuss with the Television Licensing Authority the sending of television licence reminder forms headed Accounts Payable to companies; and if he will make a statement. [125736]
§ Mr. Chris SmithUnder the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 1990, the BBC has statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system. TV Licensing carries out the day to day administration of the licensing system as agent for the BBC. The wording of TV Licensing's renewal reminder letters is therefore a matter for TV Licensing and the BBC, and not one in which the Government can intervene. The BBC has, however, confirmed that it is not promoting the TV licence as an Account Payable.