Mr. Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate how many direct debits for payinglicence fees currently set up with the BBC by visually-impaired customers will have to be cancelled because of the evidencerequirements contained within the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1998; what guidance his Department has given the BBC to ensure thatvisually-impaired customers have equal access to this method of paying bills; and if he will make a statement. [125347]Mr. Chris Smith: Under section 2(2) of the Wireless Telegraphy Act (as amended), the only evidence required to prove entitlement tothe 50 per cent. reduction in the television licence fee for registered blind people, introduced by the Government on 1 April thisyear, is a certificate issued by a local authority. This requirement has no bearing on the method of payment. The Department forCulture, Media and Sport does not issue guidance to the BBC on the administration of the television licensing system, since this isa statutory responsibility of the Corporation.