§ Mr. Goldingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to exempt pensioners from the payment of television licence fees;
(2) if he will take steps to ensure that the television licence fees are not increased for pensioners.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsNo. The Government have given first priority to pension increases, and I am afraid it is not possible to give a television licence exemption to pensioners. No decision has yet been reached on the BBC's application for increased licence fees.