§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2001 to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn)Official Report, column 415W, on concessionary television licences, for what reason the proposed amendment is limited to accommodation provided or managed by a local authority, housing association or development corporation. [158679]
§ Janet AndersonThe reason is that the anomaly we are seeking to address applies only to sheltered housing provided or managed by a local authority, a housing association or a development corporation, because only sheltered housing provided or managed in this way qualifies for the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary television licence scheme.
§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, pursuant to his answer of 9 April 2001 to the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Mr. Quinn),Official Report, column 415W, on concessionary television licences, what the estimated cost to public funds in a full year is of the proposed amendment to the regulations; and how many individuals will benefit. [158678]
§ Janet AndersonI am unable to provide the information requested. As indicated by my right hon. Friend on 9 April, we are currently consulting with the BBC on the formulation of the proposed amendments to the regulations governing the Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) concessionary scheme. The number of people who will benefit, and the resulting cost, will depend on the precise structure of the new provisions and on the number of housing managers who, in future, make the relevant changes to previously qualifying accommodation. The cost of the ARC scheme is not met from public funds but represents a reduction in television licence fee revenue collected.