To ask Her Majesty's Government what right the Television Licensing Authority has to demand that those people without a television should telephone to tell them so. [HL4008]

Under the terms of the BBC's charter and agreement, it is the responsibility of the BBC Trust to ensure that arrangements for the collection of the licence fee are efficient, appropriate and proportionate. The BBC has informed me that it does not have any legal right to demand that people without a television receiver contact them.

The BBC has informed me that TV Licensing nonetheless asks such people to do so in order that they will not receive regular mailings intended for unlicensed viewers. Furthermore, this helps to ensure greater accuracy with the TV licensing database.