§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what is the total cost of providing and administering free television licences for over 75-year-olds, for each of the first five years of the scheme. [112164]
§ Janet AndersonEstimates of £117 million in 2000–01 and £283 million in 2001–02 formed part of the pre-Budget Report. Updated estimates are being prepared and will be incorporated in the Department of Social Security's Departmental Report which is due for publication following the Budget. These are likely to be higher than the earlier estimates as a result of the final structure of the scheme.