§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many(a) single pensioners have taken out free television licences, (b) pensioner couples have taken out such licences, (c) pensioners are entitled to such licences but have not taken them out and (d) pensioners have no television. [20951]
§ Dr. HowellsFree television licences are issued to named individuals but also cover anyone else living at the specified address. The information held by TV Licensing does not therefore distinguish between free television licences issued to over-75s living on their own and those living as couples.
No accurate information is available on television ownership by age group. It is therefore not possible to establish the number of pensioners who do not own a television set, nor the number of people eligible for a free licence but who have not applied for one.
§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of households in the United Kingdom(a) pay for and (b) receive a free television licence. [21381]
§ Dr. HowellsAt the end of October 2001, television licences were in force for 23.725 million domestic premises. Fees were payable in respect of 20.059 million of these premises or approximately 85 per cent. of the total, including 200,000 Accommodation for Residential Care (ARC) units, for which the fee is £5. 3.666 million premises or approximately 15 per cent. of the total benefited from free television licences for the over-75s.
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