To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how the (a) licence, (b) equipment and (c) running costs of personal televisions in prisoner cells are met; by whom; how the costs arising from digital switchover will be allocated; and if he will make a statement. (171183)

The equipment and running costs (excluding electricity) of prisoners' in-cell television is met from the weekly charge levied on prisoners for the rental of a television from the Prison Service.

The switchover of the prison estate in readiness for the switch from analogue to digital television began in 2005 and is expected to be completed in 2012. It is intended that the cost of digital switchover in the prison estate will be met primarily from the revenue generated by the weekly charge levied on prisoners for the rental of televisions from the Prison Service.

Television licences are not required because of Crown exemption.