§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the application of the concessionary TV licence scheme to sheltered housing units where the residents include non-pensioners who have been placed there by the local authority to meet urgent housing needs. [106833]
115W
§ Mr. Chris Smith[holding answer 25 January 2000]: I recognise that this practice is increasing and gives rise to apparent anomalies in the application of the concessionary television licence scheme to sheltered housing units, which depends on the particular circumstances of the case. The Government asked the independent review panel on the future funding of the BBC to consider the structure of the scheme and whether a suitable alternative structure might be available. The Government are considering the Davies report's recommendations in the light of responses to the public consultation. We intend to announce our conclusions shortly.