§ Mr. CallaghanTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage what plans he has to meet representatives from pensioners' groups to discuss the cost of television licences for old age pensioners.
§ Mr. BrookeI have no plans to meet representations from pensioners' groups, though we have sent a copy of the consultaton document about the future of the BBC, which asks questions about the television licence fee, to four organisations representing the elderly. I am well aware of the view amongst many pensioners that they should be entitled to free or reduced rate television licences. The Government have made clear on many occasions that it is wholly opposed to this idea: not only would giving free licences to pensioners impose an extra cost of at least £500 million a year on other licence payers, but it would also be wrong in principle, benefiting many people of pensionable age who are well able to pay the full fee.