§ Mr. Beaneyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to grant a yearly increase in supplementary benefit of an amount equal to the cost of television licences to all totally disabled and pensioners on low fixed income.
§ Mr. DeanNo. The cost of television licences is included in the index of retail prices which is taken into account in determining supplementary benefit scale rates. The scale rates, which are being increased this November, already contain a margin for amenities which people can, if they wish, spend on items like television licences.