§ Mr. John Horam (Gateshead, West)With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg leave to present a petition signed by no fewer than 5,000 retirement pensioners in the metropolitan borough of Gateshead. It showeth
That the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadcast Licence Charges and Exemption) Regulations 1970, made under the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949, grant the right to concessionary television licences to old people living in accommodation owned by a local authority.That this right does not extend to old-age pensioners living in privately owned or rented accommodation.That these provisions are inequitable, and discriminate unfairly against many old-age pensioners.Moreover, the burden has become all the greater as a result of the successive increases in licence fees.Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House will amend this legislation to provide for a more equitable arangement for concessionary television licences for old people.
§ To lie upon the Table.