§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to review the regulations in respect of the granting of concessionary television licences to elderly and disabled people; and if he will make a statement. [71386]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 16 February 1999]The 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 end of July this year. There will then be a period of public consultation on the panel's recommendations.