Concessionary Television Licences for State Retirement Pensioners (Hansard, 13 March 1984)

§ Mr. Allen McKay (Barnsley, West and Penistone)
I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for concessionary television licences for state retirement pensioners and others. I am aware of the importance of our later debate, but the House should also be aware of the importance of the subject of my Bill and its effect on 9 million pensioners. On 6 October 1982—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. Will the House please listen with attention to the hon. Gentleman?

§ Mr. McKay
On 6 October 1982, I presented a similar Bill on which the House divided. That Bill was accepted by 187 votes to nil, clearly expressing the will of the House. On 19 April 1983 the House again accepted the Bill but unfortunately, yet again, the Government did not give it time to proceed any further. This is the third time of asking. Acceptance of today's Bill will reinforce the will of the House and is in accordance with my stated intention to pursue the matter until it is finally resolved.
The House will recall that the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadcast Licence Charges and Exemption) Regulations 1970 which brought in concessionary licences was extended by my right hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Leeds. South (Mr. Rees) when he was Home Secretary. On 23 February 1983 the then Secretary of State, now Lord Whitelaw, announced a further extension of the provisions following representations from my hon. Friend the Member for Bolsover (Mr. Skinner). That extension was to provide for physically disabled and mentally disabled persons living in local authority residential accommodation and residents in those categories of sheltered housing in which elderly persons now receive the concession. If my information is correct—it comes from a good source—it is to be regretted that the promise in that statement has not yet been carried out.
In addition, some local authorities, such as my own, Barnsley metropolitan authority, help senior citizens not in receipt of a concessionary licence by making a small contribution towards the cost of a licence. It is not inconceivable that such contributions will disappear owing to the Government's rate-capping Bill.
The present national scheme does not take into account the fact that a large number of pensioners are debarred because their accommodation does not come within the rules of the scheme, although they live in circumstances which are the same as, or little different from, the circumstances of those who are eligible. While 550,000 pensioners receive concessionary licences, 4.8 million pensioner households do not—some in the public but most in the private rented and owner-occupied sector. This is clearly most inequitable, and it is a matter of concern to many right hon. and hon. Members and certainly to all pensioners and pensioner organisations.
In a year in which the cost of a television licence is likely to be increased substantially, which will make the present VAT position much worse, the Government should take action. My Bill will give them a chance to do so. The right approach is undoubtedly to increase pensions 284 and benefits to a level that will enable people to meet the cost of a licence themselves, but obviously this will not happen. Until it does, there is need for a concessionary system, but such a system must be fair and equitable.
Television is necessary to millions of pensioners. It provides entertainment, companionship, a sense of security, and information to those unable to buy newspapers. It is particularly necessary to those in isolated places or isolated within the community. The present situation causes bitterness and animosity. To cover those households without non-pensioners would cost £170 million. To cover all pensioners would cost £250 million. This could be raised by increasing the basic rate of tax by one quarter of a penny and VAT by one third of 1 per cent.
But why not dispense with television licensing altogether and avoid all the anomalies? [Interruption.]

§ Mr. Dennis Canavan (Falkirk, West)
On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it in order for the hooligans on the Government Benches to be hampering my hon. Friend's valuable speech? If we did it during the Chancellor's speech, I have no doubt that you would call us to order.

§ Mr. Speaker
I do not think that I need any help from the House. The House is waiting for a very important statement, but the hon. Member has every right, as have all Back Benchers, to be heard in silence.

§ Mr. McKay
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would be remiss for Back Benchers to give up Back-Bench time to Front Bench Members.
Why not dispense with television licensing altogether, thus avoiding possible anomalies, the cost of £715 million being funded by raising the basic rate of income lax three quarters of a penny and VAT by 1 per cent.? My party is pledged, on forming the next Government, to phase out licences for state retirement pensioners during the lifetime of that Parliament.
The Chancellor can at this late stage take three opportunities. He can announce that concessions will be extended to all state retired pensioners. He can announce the phasing out of licences for those state retired pensioners within the remaining lifetime of this Parliament. He can announce that my Bill, if accepted, will be given Government time and Government blessing. The Bill, if supported and allowed to proceed, w ill allow us to discuss, argue, question and explore the whole question and bring in an Act protecting existing recipients and a system of concessionary TV licensing which will be more fair and equitable to all.