§ Mr. OatenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she expects to introduce measures to preserve the rights of beneficiaries of the Accommodation for Residential Care concessionary television licence scheme when the (a) social mix and (b) level of warden cover in their sheltered housing changes. [64743]
§ Dr. Howells[holding answer 27 June 2002]: Consultations between officials and the BBC about the necessary amendments to the television licence fee regulations to introduce the proposed changes are currently under way. We intend to bring forward these amendments as soon as we can, but it is important that in doing so we do not create any new anomalies or unnecessary administrative burdens.
§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many households are entitled to free TV licences in Portsmouth; and if she will make a statement. [65376]
§ Dr. HowellsTV Licensing, which administers the free television licence scheme for the BBC as Licensing Authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 14,600 people aged 75 or over in Portsmouth.