§ Mr. Blackburnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is yet in a position to announce whether a concession on television licences can be made to physically disabled and mentally disordered persons living in local authority residential accommodation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI have concluded that it is particularly anomalous that physically disabled and mentally disordered residents of homes run by local authorities or voluntary or private organisations should receive different treatment from old persons resident in similar homes provided for under the same legislation. I therefore propose that the former should become eligible for the 5p television licence. Similarly, I intend that physically disabled and mentally disorderd people resident in those categories of sheltered housing in which old persons at present receive the concession should also benefit. I shall lay regulations, which will extend throughout the United Kingdom, to this effect before the House before long. Up to 43,000 people may benefit from this change.