PM was opposed to prosecuting TV licence dodgers

 Margaret Thatcher was opposed to keeping TV licence fee evasion a criminal matter, newly released files show. As prime minister she dismissed Home Office fears that relaxing criminal sanctions would lead to a sharp rise in those not buying licences.

Cabinet Office files released today show the then home secretary wrote a three-page memo setting out his concerns after the Commons select committee on home affairs recommended that licence fee evasion should be decriminalised. The committee said non-payment should be treated as a civil debt, in the same way as unpaid water or gas bills. But the memo said that because the BBC was unable to disconnect supply from non-paying homes, the licence fee could not be compared with utilities.

Research had shown a threat of prosecution and a hefty fine were the most potent weapons to persuade viewers to pay up, the Home Office said. Mrs Thatcher’s private secretary wrote back to say: “The Prime Minister remains strongly opposed to criminal sanctions and unpersuaded by the arguments advanced in favour of retaining the sanctions.”