HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 cc60-1W
20. Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when the Government intend to review the BBC licence fee; and what form the review will take. [57262]

Janet Anderson

We shall be reviewing the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002 early next year. The issues will be examined initially by an independent review panel which will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State no later than the end of July. We shall then consult on the panel's findings.

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he plans to include a pensioner representative in the membership of the independent review panel considering BBC funding after 2002; and if the panel will be required to consult pensioner organisations; [58492]

(2) if he expects to implement changes in the current concessionary television licence scheme before 2002; [58660]

(3) when he expects to announce the membership of the independent review panel considering BBC funding after 2002. [58493]

Janet Anderson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will be announcing the membership of the review panel shortly.

The review panel will no doubt wish to consider the views of various bodies and groups of people, including pensioners. In addition, pensioner groups will have an opportunity to feed in their views when the Government consult publicly on the panel's findings.

The Government will consider any proposals to change the concessionary television licence scheme, and the implementation of any changes, following the consultation exercise.

Mr. Öpik

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to reduce the TV licence fee for blind people; and if he will make a statement. [58279]

Janet Anderson

Current concessionary arrangements, including those for blind people, will be examined next year as part of the review of the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002. The issues will be examined initially by an independent review panel which will report to the Secretary of State by the end of July. The Government will then consult on the panel's findings.