§ 31. Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters and representations he has received on the need to introduce free television licences for all pensioners.
§ Dr. Summerskill:In the past three months we have received some 32 letters and six petitions containing 10,500 signatures asking for free licences for retirement pensioners.
§ 57. Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now review the law relating to concessionary television licences for the elderly.
§ Dr. Summerskill:My right hon. Friend has no plans to do so at present.
§ Mr. Ovendenasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the proportion of retirement pensioners who are now eligible for television licence concessions; and what plans he has to extend entitlement to such concessions.
§ Mr. Merlyn Rees:Many councils are still compiling information for applications to benefit from the old persons' home television licence concessionary scheme, and it is not therefore possible to give precise figures. It is estimated that between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of retirement pensioners are now eligible under the scheme. I have no plans at present to extend entitlement to such concessions.