HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1025-6
16. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation which would permit local authorities, if they so desired, to contribute towards the cost of television licences for old-age pensioners.

Mr. Graham Page

Although television licences are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister for Post and Telecommunications, I will reply.

There are no plans to introduce such legislation.

Mr. Fernyhough

That is a most disappointing answer. Is the hon. Gentleman unaware of the burden that the price of a television licence can represent to a person living on a State pension or supplementary benefits? If a local authority is prepared to meet this cost, why not give it power to make a contribution towards easing the burdens on its aged citizens and so make life a little more enjoyable for them?

Mr. Page

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware that there is always difficulty when considering concessionary licences and other matters of this sort. One may be helping a person who happens to have a television set but not another person who does not have one. I suggest that if it were decided that such a concession should be made, it should be done by the central Government rather than by local government.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Is my hon. Friend aware that his reply will give great satisfaction to those who believe in justice? A concessionary licence of this kind would be unfair to pensioners who are blind or who do not wish to watch television. In any event, the granting of concessions of this kind is wrong. What we want is proper pensions.

Mr. Ashton

Is the Minister aware of a discrepancy which already exists? A number of pensioners live in bungalows which are under the control of a warden. That warden will obtain one licence for all the television sets in those bungalows. This results in each pensioner having to pay only a few shillings a year for the individual part of the licence. This naturally infuriates pensioners who live in houses and other accommodation which are not controlled by wardens. Will the hon. Gentleman please allow local authorities which wish to do so to get rid of this discrepancy?

Mr. Page

I still do not believe that this is a job for local authorities. If it is decided that it is right, then it is a job for the central Government.