§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the benefits of providing television licences free of charge for(a) pensioners and (b) disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [70989]
§ Janet AndersonThe current review of the future of the BBC licence fee after 2002 will include a consideration of the structure of the existing concessionary television licence scheme and whether a suitable alternative structure could be available. The independent review panel will report to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State by the 695W end of July this year. There will then be a period of public consultation on the panel's recommendations. It would not be right for the Government to preempt the outcome of the review.