§ 46. Mrs. Ewingasked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to rescind the recent increase in television licence fees in areas where B.B.C.2 is unobtainable.
§ Mr. StonehouseThis would be unworkable. Also, since in general it costs very much more to bring new services to remoter places, it would be unfair to the licence holders as a whole.
§ Mr. Beaneyasked the Postmaster-General if, in view of the continuing hardship caused to old-age pensioners drawing supplementary benefits and to disabled persons who are dependent upon television for pleasure by the increase in the television licence fee, he will now remove this hardship by granting exemption to such persons.
§ Mr. Corfieldasked the Postmaster-General whether he will now consider introducing legislation to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1949, so as to enable him to issue television licences at concessionary rates to disabled people or those who are retired and of pensionable age, and who do not live in old people's homes run by or registered with local authorities, or exempt from registration by statute.
§ Mrs. Ewingasked the Postmaster-General if he will take steps to exempt needy Scottish retirement pensioners from payment of radio and television licences.
§ Mr. StonehouseI would refer the hon. Members to my reply earlier today to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Edward M. Taylor).