HC Deb 14 December 1992 vol 216 cc14-5W
Mr. David Porter

To ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what account he is taking in his consideration of the future of the BBC and the licence fee, of the position of pensioners in and out of sheltered accommodation with shared facilities and common boundaries paying for television licences; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

As I indicated in reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Worcester (Mr. Luff) on 9 December, Official Report, column 683, the Government have repeatedly made it clear that they have no plans to amend or extend the regulations governing the concessionary TV licence scheme, which were thoroughly overhauled in 1988 after long and careful consideration. The long-term future of the licence fee and the arrangements for paying it are issues to be considered in the debate about the renewal of the BBCs charter.