§ Mr. Bob Blizzard (Waveney)On behalf of the Lowestoft branch of the Suffolk Pensioners Association, whose members believe that the cost of a television licence is high in relation to the value of the state pension, I wish to present a petition bearing 2,000 signatures. The petition was started before the Government announcement of free television licences for the over-75s. The original demand, for half-price television licences for all pensioners, has been modified. The petition states:
To the House of Commons.The Petition of the Suffolk Pensioners AssociationDeclares that the TV licence has now been increased to over £100 p.a. In view of the below subsistence level of the old age pension, the Association, on behalf of all pensioners, believe they are entitled to a reduced licence fee of 50%The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to consider reducing the TV licence fee to £50 for all pensioners who will not receive a free licence under the government's current proposals.And the Petitioners remain, etc.To lie upon the Table.