§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) what estimate he has made of the cost of making television licences available to pensioners at a discount of(a) 75 per cent. (b) 50 per cent. and (c) 25 per cent. of the normal fee for colour and black and white sets; and if he will make a statement; [2169]
(2) what representations he has received from pensioner groups requesting him to exempt pensioners from having to buy a television licence; and if he will make a statement; [2170]
312Wthe marketing of attractions, as well as the relative cost of the holidays in the UK and elsewhere. The Government are aware that the sterling exchange rate can affect the level of inbound and outbound tourism but do not make forecasts of the specific effects. The figures requested are shown in the following table:
(3) what would be the annual cost of exempting all pensioners from having to buy a television licence; and if he will make a statement. [2281]
§ Mr. FisherThe estimated annual cost, in lost licence fee revenue, of providing concessionary television licences for all pensioners would be:
£ million For a 25 per cent, discount 157 For a 50 per cent, discount 314 For a 75 per cent, discount 471 For free licences 628 Department of National Heritage records do not distinguish between representations from pensioner groups and those from other organisations or individuals, nor between those calling for free television licences for pensioners and those seeking a lesser concession. Since the Election, the Government have received 56 representations about television licence fees for pensioners and the concessionary television licence scheme, 25 of them from hon. Members. We have no plans to amend the concessionary television licence scheme.