§ 27. Mr. Marquandasked the Postmaster-General whether he will introduce legislation to charge reduced fees for television licences for old-age pensioners.
§ Mr. Edward ShortAs regards old-age pensioners generally, I have nothing to add to my reply of 1st June to the hon. Member for Hertfordshire, South-West (Mr. Longden).
However. I am glad to announce that, from 1st March next, I will be arranging for the issue of special licences to old people's homes to cover the use by residents in their bedrooms of portable radio and portable television sets. I will announce full details of the new arrangements shortly.—[Vol. 747, c. 245.]
§ Mr. MarquandIs my right hon. Friend aware that the House will be very satisfied with his reply? Could he go a little further and look again at the question of old-age pensioners generally, in view of the significance of television to many of them?
§ Mr. ShortI have a great deal of sympathy in this matter, but we must draw the line somewhere. By great ingenuity on the part of my legal advisers, we have solved the problem of schools and of old people's homes. It was the Conservative Government which decided to enforce the full rigours of the law about old people's homes. We have solved that problem, and I think that we must draw the line at this point.
§ Mr. BryanIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that we on this side of the House certainly welcome his statement? However, would he agree that, instead of a reduction in the licence fee, old-age pensioners are likely to be asked in the coming months for a higher licence fee, and everybody knows that? Is it not time that the B.B.C. sought fresh revenue from advertising on Radio 1 instead of from the poor?