§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action the Government have taken to ensure that people who are partially sighted claim their entitled discount on their TV licence; and if he will make a statement. [130289]
§ Janet AndersonI have been asked to reply.
The 50 per cent. reduction in the television licence fee which the Government introduced on 1 April this year is available to all registered blind people. Statutory responsibility for the administration of the television licensing system, including concessions, rests with the BBC. I understand that the BBC's agent, TV Licensing, is 270W including details of the concession in letters that are being sent to every household about free television licences for the over-75s. Additional leaflets have also been produced, with audio and Braille versions. Other promotional activity includes local radio trails, information on the BBC's Website and liaison with community links and outreach centres. The BBC has liaised with the Royal National Institute for the Blind on the subject of this concession and Post Office Counters staff have been informed of it.