§ Mr. Bishopasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications what is his estimate of the cost to his Department of abolishing the need for old-age pensioners living alone to have a television licence; and if he will consider such a proposition.
§ Sir J. EdenThe cost would be about £7 million a year for single pensioner households and about another £5 million a year for two pensioner households. I have given much thought to proposals for licence concessions to pensioners. Any concession would lead either to a cut in the BBC's services or higher licence fees all round. Neither alternative is attractive.
Local authorities already have the power to assist elderly people with, amongst other things, the cost of television. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind it may be worth while for him to see if the personal social services available could exceptionally be of help.