HC Deb 06 July 1970 vol 803 cc319-20
28. Mr. Barnett

asked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will introduce legislation to extend to all retirement pensioners the concession of 1s. per year television licence; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Chataway

No, Sir. The Government's policy is to provide adequate cash benefits which all recipients can spend as they think best. The old persons' home television licence is not a welfare concession, and I have concluded that it would be wrong to extend its scope.

Mr. Barnett

Would the Minister reconsider that reply? Would he not agree that there are here some serious anomalies, in that in some areas the concession is not given just because there does not happen to be a warden in a block of flats? Would he therefore look again at the whole question? Would he not agree that the provision of television for old people is not the provision of a luxury but the provision of the only thing that, for very many old people, makes life tolerable?

Mr. Chataway

I agree that there are administrative anomalies, but I believe the principle is right that cash benefits should be given rather than benefits in kind.

Mr. John Mendelson

If the right hon. Gentleman does not find it possible to reduce the fee to a nominal value of 1s., would he consider the introduction of a licence fee reduced by, perhaps, 50 per cent. to £3, for retirement pensioners living alone? He must know, as I believe all hon. Members know, that this is a point of real concern among retirement pensioners. Would he therefore give further consideration to this proposal of some reduced licence fee for these people?

Mr. Chataway

It would not be reasonable to expect the B.B.C. to make this subsidy. It would have to be a subsidy from the Government. I believe that the vast majority of people would feel that it was better to give cash rather than a subsidy in kind.

Mr. Marten

Does my right hon. Friend realise that some of us on this side of the House share the view of the hon. Members opposite, and will he give an undertaking to look at this matter again very seriously?

Mr. Chataway

I will certainly bear in mind my hon. Friend's interest in this subject, but I believe that, in fact, the great majority of pensioners would prefer cash benefits.

Mr. Barnett

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as I can.