HC Deb 06 December 1984 vol 69 cc276-7W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he has any plans to extend the system of concessionary television licences to cover other forms of residential establishment;

(2) if he will list those categories of premises the residents of which are entitled to concessionary television licences.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The kinds of accommodation whose residents may qualify for the concessionary accommodation for residential care television licence are laid down in the Wireless Telegraphy (Broadcast Licence Charges and Exemption) Regulations 1984. They are essentially:

  1. (i) old persons' homes;
  2. (ii) disabled persons' homes;
  3. (iii) residential homes for mentally disordered persons;
  4. (iv) sheltered housing schemes provided specially for retirement pensioners; physically disabled persons or mentally disordered persons by local authorities under prescribed housing legislation, or by development corporations or housing associations.

There are at present no plans to extend the range of establishments which qualify for the accommodation for residential care licence.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the total value of concessionary television licences issued in each of the last three years for which figures are available;

(2) how many concessionary television licences were issued in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The number of concessionary accommodation for residential care licences in force at the end of the last three financial years, and the total estimated value of the concession in each of those years, are as follows:

Year ended 31 March Number of licences Value £ million
1982 16,391 10
1983 17,537 13
1984 18,583 14.5

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are taken into account when deciding to grant concessionary television licences to the residents of particular establishments.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a question from the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms. Harman) on 29 November at column542.