§ Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what recent representations he has received and from what organisations calling for free television licences for retirement pensioners; what reply he has given; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossiThe question of free or concessionary licences for pensioners is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The most recent representation for free TV licences for retirement pensioners of which I am aware was among several proposals included in a petition presented at 10 Downing Street in July 1982 on behalf of the pensioners group of the Royal Arsenal co-operative society. In the official reply to that petition it was made clear that the proposal had been ruled out by the Home Secretary since the resulting loss in licence revenue would have to be made good either by putting up the licence fee for everyone else by 50 per cent. or in other ways likely to diminish the present independence of the BBC. Higher priority has been given by the Government to protecting fully the value of retirement pensions against inflation.