§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to complete his review of television licensing arrangements for hotels; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdWe have completed the substance of our review, and have concluded that in future hotels should pay a single licence fee for up to 15 guest rooms in which television sets are installed and an extra fee at the standard rate for each additional five rooms with television above that figure. We are still considering one or two consequential matters but we expect to lay regulations before the House shortly to provide for these new licensing arrangements. We anticipate that the requirement to pay higher fees will apply from the beginning of next year.
The same regulations will provide for the early implementation of my noble Friend the former Home Secretary's proposals to modify the concessionary 5p television licence scheme so that physically disabled and mentally disordered people in certain residential accommodation may benefit on the same terms as retirement pensioners.