HC Deb 06 April 1978 vol 947 cc625-6
14. Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations in the last year he has received to give all retired couples, living alone, either television licences free or licences at half the licence fee.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

One representation has been received in the last year advocating television licence concessions solely for retired couples living alone, but, as my hon. Friend knows, there have been a number of representations in favour of concessions for pensioners living alone. The Government are currently considering the question of television licence concessions in the light of the Annan Committee's recommendation that no further concessions should be introduced.

Mr. Madden

Does the Home Secretary agree that many retired people living alone have a deep sense of grievance about the present arrangements whereby a small number of pensioners, living in certain types of accommodation, have a 5p licence while the vast majority have to pay the full rate? Does he not also agree that the cost of adopting the suggestion in my Question would be peanuts in national economic terms but would at the same time offer enormous assistance to a greater number of retired people living alone?

Mr. Rees

My hon. Friend used the word "peanuts". Between £80 million and £90 million would be involved. That is about one-third of the licence revenue. But we are considering the matter, and I am of a mind to make what might be regarded as a minor change concerning residential and sheltered accommodation which I shall be announcing very shortly.

Mr. Bowden

Does the Home Secretary agree that any anomalies which are bound to arise from concessions would be far better dealt with by looking at the possibility of competely abolishing television licences for everybody?

Mr. Rees

As the hon. Gentleman knows, this has been suggested many times, and that is what the annual report is about. We are considering that possibility, but we should not ignore the position that would then result whereby the BBC would receive its money direct from the Treasury. There is an aspect to consider there about the control of the BBC by any political party.

Mr. Mendelson

Will the Home Secretary carefully consider the particular grievance of a large number of people, who have approved in principle the original concession, when they find that, although they live in very similar circumstances, they cannot be brought within the confines of the concession? If the Government were to decide not to abolish the licence fee altogether, would the Home Secretary consider reducing television licence fees by 50 per cent. for retired pensioners so that there was a feeling of equality among all those involved?

Mr. Rees

My hon. Friend, in his concluding remarks, showed that once we embark on concessions there is a sense of grievance among many other people. Within the concessions that are made I shall be announcing very soon something concerning my hon. Friend's first point.