HC Deb 30 January 2001 vol 362 cc132-3W
Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much revenue has been raised through the control of radio licensing by each of the regulatory bodies which are to be replaced by the proposed Ofcom in each of the last three years for which figures are available; and what percentage of this income in each year has been raised through auctions. [147613]

Janet Anderson

Certain radio and television licences are awarded after a process of competitive tender under the Broadcasting Act 1990, but not by auction. Revenue is raised through additional payments in respect of cash bids and qualifying revenue and through any receipts in respect of financial penalties,

The payments to the Exchequer from these sources for each of the last three years are as follows:

£ million
1999–2000 1998–99 1997–98
Radio Authority Licensees 10.5 8.9 8.1
Independent Television Commission Licensees 419.9 479.0 439.1

Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport under what powers the regulatory bodies which will be succeeded by the proposed Ofcom will issue general authorisations for communications operators. [147616]

Janet Anderson

We shall at the earliest opportunity bring forward legislation to establish Ofcom with the powers necessary to implement the proposals in our White Paper, "A New Future for Communications", including powers necessary to authorise and license providers of communications services.

Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the regulatory burdens on communications operators caused by individual licensing; and if he will make a statement. [147611]

Janet Anderson

The policies set out in our White Paper, "A New Future for Communications" include proposals for reducing the regulatory burden upon communications operators by using general authorisations rather than individual licences wherever possible. Details of the new Systems are being developed and the benefits will be quantified and made available in due course as part of the regulatory impact assessment.