HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 cc6-7
6. Mr. Steve Webb (Northavon)

When he expects to conclude his review of the arrangements for concessionary television licences. [57245]

The Minister for Tourism, Film and Broadcasting (Janet Anderson)

Our aim is to reach final conclusions on all aspects of the BBC funding review by the end of next year.

Mr. Webb

Will the Minister comment on the press report that the review group will be chaired by the Chancellor's favourite millionaire? While I have nothing against millionaires per se, does the Minister agree that such a person is not well placed to understand the difficulties that many older pensioners, in particular, face in affording a television licence?

Janet Anderson

The hon. Gentleman will know that no official announcement has been made, and I am sure that he would not expect me to comment on speculation. I reassure him that the Government recognise that the current structure of the concessionary licence scheme is imperfect and unsatisfactory. It is time for a detailed examination of the scheme, and the review panel will conduct such an examination.

Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North)

The licence fee is extraordinarily good value and should be retained. However, does my hon. Friend accept that many pensioners find it increasingly difficult to pay the licence fee, even though, as they grow older—certainly as they enter their 70s—they are bound to spend more time at home watching television? Does my hon. Friend therefore recognise that—together with all the other anomalies of which we are aware—it is simply just that pensioners should receive far greater concessions than they do at present? I hope that they will before too long.

Janet Anderson

My hon. Friend will be aware that I share his concern about this matter, and I take this opportunity to congratulate him on the excellent work that he has done in this area.

We recognise that the present scheme is unsatisfactory and unfair, but we cannot make any promises that the review will lead to a general concession for all pensioners or for other groups of people. That could lead to substantial increases for all other licence fee payers. However, we can promise that we shall give detailed consideration to the unsatisfactory nature of the present arrangements.

Mr. Peter Ainsworth (East Surrey)

I am sorry to press the point, but I am sure that the hon. Lady will welcome this opportunity to scotch rumours that the BBC funding review will be conducted not by someone who knows about broadcasting but by an economist who is one of the Chancellor's closest friends and married to the Chancellor's special adviser. On reconsideration, would the hon. Lady not love to take this opportunity to dissociate herself from the culture of cronyism that seems to be invading every aspect of this Government?

Janet Anderson

As the hon. Gentleman knows, that is pure speculation, and I am sure that he will not expect me to comment until an official announcement has been made.

We will take no lessons from the Tories regarding allegations of cronyism. I remind the hon. Gentleman that one of his colleagues in another place, Baroness Denton of Wakefield, said that she had never knowingly appointed a Labour supporter.

Mr. Bill O'Brien (Normanton)

The important factor in this review will be the terms of reference for the review committee. There is tremendous discrimination in the way concessionary licences are issued at present, and it is important to ensure that those on pensions receive the assistance they need in the form of concessionary television licences.

Will the Minister brief us as to the terms of reference that the committee will consider when reviewing the current television licence arrangements? Can we be assured that all pensioners will be treated fairly and will receive their just entitlements?

Janet Anderson

I reassure my hon. Friend that the panel will be asked to consider in detail the present arrangements governing the concessionary scheme. Although we cannot make any promises that the review will lead to a general concession for all pensioners or for other groups of people, we recognise that the current system is unfair and unsatisfactory, and should be considered in detail.