§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the circumstances under which a television licensing officer can enter a private dwelling. [51073]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 18 April 2002]: TV Licensing officials may enter a private dwelling only with the consent of the occupier or if authorised to do so by a warrant issued by a magistrate. Under section 15(1) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 (as amended), a magistrate may issue such a warrant if satisfied, by information provided on oath, that there is reasonable ground for suspecting that an offence under the Act has been or is being committed.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the circumstances in which the owner of a television in the United Kingdom(a) does not and (b) does require a television licence. [51072]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 18 April 2002]: A television licence is required to instal or use television receiving apparatus to receive television programme 1217W services, as defined by section 2(4) of the Broadcasting Act 1990. The BBC, as Licensing Authority, has responsibility for determining television licensing requirements in individual cases, subject to the ultimate authority of the courts.