HC Deb 28 February 2000 vol 345 cc91-2W
25. Mr. Savidge

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many families in Aberdeen will benefit from the introduction of free television licences for households with a member aged 75 years or over. [110622]

Mr. Chris Smith

This information is not available. 1991 Census information is out of date and no household survey has a sample size sufficient to make reliable estimates of qualifying households at a constituency or local authority level.

Mr. Sarwar

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) if he will make a statement on the procedure for people over 75 to receive a free television licence; [111095]

(2) if he will ensure that arrangements put in place for providing free television licences to pensioners aged over 75 years take account of the needs of housebound pensioners; [111514]

Janet Anderson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced on 21 February 2000 that free television licences for people aged 75 or over will come into effect from 1 November this year. The main details of the scheme, which will be administered by TV Licensing as agent for the BBC, have also been via a news release issued by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Further details will be published by TV Licensing, who will also write to all households in good time before 1 November, with an application form to be completed and returned if a member of the household is 75 or over. The BBC have indicated that appropriate arrangements will be included for claimants who are housebound.