THERE has been many a debate on television licensing and the arrival of alternative viewing media. It is high time the debate should continue.

As far as the funding is concerned, the licence money goes towards the BBC whereas revenue for ITV comes from advertisements. As it stands, possessing and operating a television merits a licence, regardless of what is being watched.

I am a cable TV user and part of the standard access package consists, among other things, of the five terrestrial channels, including, of course, the BBC. For this, there is a standard charge of £10 per month. So I am paying the BBC to watch cable TV and because I possess a television set for cable TV, I am legally liable for a television licence as well.

As a consumer, I am being robbed by the BBC. It is about time Jack Straw, the Home Secretary, assessed the situation, especially since cable TV users like myself are effectively being overcharged.

P ROBERTS (Mr), Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn.

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