§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what discussions he has had with the Television Licensing Authority regarding the provision whereby sheltered schemes can lose their concession if residents include men between the ages of 60 to 65 years;[102227]
(2) if he will review the rules on the eligibility of sheltered housing schemes for concessionary television licences to allow schemes which include some residents under pensionable age to qualify for the concession. [102522]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 14 December 1999]: The Government are considering the Davies report's recommendations on the concessionary scheme in the light of responses to the public consultation, including those of the BBC as Licensing Authority. We intend to announce our conclusions in January.
§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make transitional arrangements to assist those living in households containing a resident aged over 75 years who buys a television licence which extends into the period when such households no longer have to pay the licence fee. [102621]
§ Janet AndersonThe Government anticipate that the arrangements for free television licences for pensioners aged 75 or over will incorporate provisions for refunds in respect of unexpired licences. We intend to announce shortly full details of how the scheme will operate.