WITHDRAWAL OF CONCESSIONARY TV LICENCES

Early day motion 930, tabled 9 March 1998 by Lord Wallace of Tankerness (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 59 members.

That this House expresses its disapproval of the current rules relating to the eligibility for concessionary television licences of tenants of sheltered housing whereby the concession can be forfeited due to change of circumstances over which the tenants themselves have no control, including the removal of a resident warden to nearby accommodation outwith the precincts of the sheltered unit; believes that these rules are anomalous and unfair to tenants particularly elderly residents of sheltered accommodation who have limited means for paying the higher television licence fee; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to review the concessionary television regulations to restore concessionary television licence fees to residents of sheltered housing who previously enjoyed the concession and to secure continuing eligibility for all tenants enjoying the concessionary fee, in the event of changed circumstances which would otherwise lead to the premises being ineligible for the concession.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Liberal Democrat 22, Conservative 3, Scottish National Party 3, UUP 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.