§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate how many direct debits for paying licence fees currently set up with the BBC by visually-impaired customers will have to be cancelled because of the evidence requirements contained within the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998; what guidance his Department has given the BBC to ensure that visually-impaired customers have equal access to this method of paying bills; and if he will make a statement. [125347]
§ Mr. Chris SmithUnder section 2(2) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act (as amended), the only evidence required to prove entitlement to the 50 per cent. reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind people, introduced by the Government on 1 April this year, is a certificate issued by a local authority. This requirement has no bearing on the method of payment. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not issue guidance to the BBC on the administration of the television licensing system, since this is a statutory responsibility of the Corporation.