§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now consider introducing free television licences for pensioners in view of the increase to take place on television licences fees; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorNo. The House has rejected the idea of free TV licences for pensioners on a number of occasions. The increase in the television licence fee from next April, announced on 31 October, is in line with the increase in the RPI. As announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security on 25 October, pensions and other state benefits will rise by the same amount.