§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the administrative cost to the BBC of issuing free TV licences to households containing a person aged over 75 years. [112851]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 7 March 2000]: Estimates are currently being prepared and will be incorporated in the Department of Social Security's Departmental Report, which is due for publication following the Budget.
§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what advice he has been given on the question of possible breach of EU state aid rules as a result of payments to the BBC in lieu of the revenue lost through giving free TV licences to those aged over 75 years. [112849]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 7 March 2000]: The Government have taken legal advice on the application of state aid rules to its recently announced policy on free television licences for people aged 75 or over.