§ 43. Mr. Lewisasked the Postmaster-General the estimated cost to his Department of allowing all old-age pensioners to claim a free radio-television licence on production of their pension book; and whether he will consider adopting this practice.
§ Mr. MarplesSo far as can be estimated, the cost in licence fees would be from £3 to £6 million a year, depending on how many households included old-age pensioners, and how many of them had television sets. These costs would not fall on the Post Office but would have to be made up by the general body of television licence holders. If the £1 duty payable on the issue of a television licence were also not charged, there would also be a loss to the Exchequer.
The Answer to the second part of the Question is "No".