§ Ann TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners have claimed free television licences in Dewsbury in each year since 1997. [98220]
§ Mr. CabornFree television licences for the over-75s were introduced in November 2000; no free licences were available prior to that date. TV Licensing, who administer the concession as agents for the BBC, are not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 5,100 people aged 75 or over living in the Dewsbury constituency.