HC Deb 13 December 1979 vol 975 cc1517-8
9. Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the increase in the television licence fee, he will now take action greatly to reduce the amount charged to senior citizens.

Mr. Brittan

No, Sir.

Mr. Wainwright

Does the Minister realise that the granting of free television licences to elderly people living in homes under varying housing accommodation complexes is causing enmity and jealousy between them and other elderly people who live close by and who have to pay the full £34. Surely that is unfair and unjust. Will the Minister reduce the price and make it more reasonable for senior citizens?

Mr. Brittan

I realise that the existence of the old persons' home licence causes feelings of resentment among those who feel that they are in a broadly comparable position. However. I know that the hon. Gentleman would not want it to be taken away. The cost of providing free television licences for all pensioner households would be between £145 million and £160 million. I do not know whether hon. Members who argue for that would wish it to be raised by an increase in taxation or by putting up the colour television licence to £50, which is what would be required.

Mr. Chapman

Will my hon. and learned Friend look sympathetically at the proposition that the deaf should get a concession on television licences?

Mr. Brittan

I will look into that matter.

Mr. Winnick

Why do the Government hand out substantial sums of money to the richest members of the community and yet deny to pensioners who live in their own homes an elementary form of justice, namely, that they should not have to pay on a small income the same amount for the television licence fee as the rest of the community pays?

Mr. Brittan

I do not accept that the parallel the hon. Gentleman seeks to draw is in any way valid.