§ 11. Mr. Lewisasked the Assistant Postmaster-General if he will arrange that all old age pensioners and those in receipt of pensions for being blind may obtain an annual wireless licence and television licence free of charge on production of their pension order book.
§ Mr. GammansThe blind now receive a sound broadcasting receiving licence free: successive Governments have, however, felt that this concession could not be extended to other sections of the community.
§ Mr. LewisI am very much obliged for the information that the blind now get a licence for radio. Can the hon. Gentleman not see his way clear to grant old age pensioners a radio and television licence because this is an admirable way of helping them without in any way affecting the cost of living?
§ Mr. GammansI think I have answered that point in my original answer—that successive Governments have looked into this and felt that they could not extend this concession to other sections of the community—
§ Mr. GammansIt is a matter of cost.
§ Mr. FernyhoughIf the hon. Gentleman cannot make things easier for the old age pensioners in this respect, will he give an assurance that he has no intention in the immediate future of making things harder for them by increasing the cost of these licences?
§ Mr. GammansThe whole question of B.B.C. finance is now under consideration.
§ 26. Mr. Lewisasked the Assistant Postmaster-General the estimated cost to his Department of allowing all old age pensioners, and those in receipt of pensions for being blind, an annual wireless and television licence free of charge on production of their pension order book.
§ Mr. GammansSo far as can be estimated, the cost would be from £2 to £4 million a year, depending on how many households included old age pensioners, and how many of them had television sets. The cost would not fall on the Post Office but would have to be made up by the general body of broadcasting licence holders.