§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will fund free television licences for pensioners. [157689]
§ Estelle MorrisThe Government have already introduced free television licences for people aged 75 or over but have no plans to extend this concession to all pensioners. However, the arrangements for funding the BBC after the expiry of the Corporation's current Royal Charter at the end of 2006 are due to be considered as part of the Charter review process. The review will include a detailed examination of the concessionary arrangements.