§ 14. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pensioners are exempt from paying the full television licence; how many pay the full charge; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawIt is estimated that about 500, 000 pensioners qualify for the special 5p old persons' home licence, and about 4½ million households comprising one or two pensioners pay the full licence fee. For the reasons given during the debate on 16 December, I have no plans to introduce concessions for pensioners generally.
§ Mr. SkinnerIs the Home Secretary not aware that there is a clear anomaly between the 500, 000 pensioners who get a 5p licence, those who get assistance from a number of local authorities, and the rest who have to pay the full licence fee? The Government stole 90p a week from pensioners by not raising the pension in line with inflation, and that is just about equivalent to the cost of a television licence. I hope that the Home Secretary is not coming along—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I hope to call another question.
§ Mr. SkinnerI am just practising from this new seat.
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The hon. Gentleman has asked enough questions.
§ Mr. WhitelawIt is not for me to comment on the hon. Gentleman's new seat or the reasons for his move. We debated the matter in December and I have nothing further to add.