1373
Concessionary
[Mr. Nott.]
17 JUNE 1980
Friend knows of any operator that is interested in that route, I hope that he will encourage it to apply.
Mr. Clinton Davies: Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appeals pro- cedure exists for him to review the evi- dence in a quasi-judicial capacity and not-as has been the case-in a political capacity? What evidence is there, in contrast to the findings of the CAA, to show that there is a vast, untapped mar- ket? Will he draw our attention to the specific evidence that he has relied on? Has not the right hon. Gentleman totally undermined the authority of the CAA? Not only is the finding on the evidence in complete conflict with the findings of the CAA, but he has under- mined any previous definition of policy, Will he bear in mind that the CAA and the Hong Kong authorities conclusively found that that route would not bear four carriers? Indeed, they concluded that only two carriers should be main- tained. Why did he not remit the issue to the CAA so that it could consider the evidence about which he had expressed anxiety and thus ensure that justice was done?
Mr. Nott: I founded my decision on appeal on the evidence that was pre- sented to the CAA and on the appeals that were submitted to me. On appeal, I am entitled to take a different view from the CAA about the evidence. I did so. As the hon. Gentleman would have wished, the process was handled as a quasi-legal procedure.
As the hon. Gentleman made a poli- tical charge. I shall conclude with a political point. If the attitude, charac- terised by the hon. Gentleman's remarks, were to prevail, it would be almost as expensive to travel from Westminster to Hackney Marshes as it is to travel from Westminster to Hong Kong. I believe in a dynamic market. The route provides great opportunities. Over a period, the four operators will take advantage of those opportunities. That will be of great benefit to airline passengers, because it will mean lower fares and a wider choice.
Television Licences
1374
CONCESSIONARY TELEVISION LICENCES FOR PENSIONERS
4.56 pm
Mr. David Winnick (Walsall, North): I beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to provide for pensioners living by themselves to receive concessionary television licences in line with the concessions already available in old people's homes and warden controlled accom- modation.
I wish to bring in a Bill to legislate on the need to introduce a concessionary television licence fee for retired pensioners who live on their own, in their own homes. Previous attempts have been made to bring in such legislation. Whether or not my present attempt succeeds, I remain confident that sooner or later the conces- sion will be provided. No one is likely to contradict the fact that many retired people want this concession.
At present, some elderly people live in communal or sheltered accommodation and pay only 5p for their television licence. When my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary he extended the conces- Member for Leeds, South (Mr. Rees) was sion and allowed the communal facilities to be outside the boundary of a group of dwellings. The ground floor of a block of flats for the elderly may contain that floor, the pensioners would pay only accommodation of a communal type. On 5p. However, those living in other flats in the same building would have to pay the full television licence fec. Those retired people who do not share that facility or concession are not critical of the conces- it is right that retired people who live in sion, but wish to share it. I believe that their own homes should be eligible for such a concession.
The present television licence fee is not excessive. One must consider the amount of programmes that are provided and the nced to ensure that the BBC does not have the amount of the licence fee. to relp on advertising. I am not criticising
Mr. Tim Eggar (Enfield. North): Why not advertising?
Mr. Winnick: I do not wish to discuss that issue. It was debated last December, and I expressed my views at that time. Although the amount of money involved in licence fees for colour televisions and for black and white sets may not seem
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1375 much to us, it to pensioners comes. Pension their pension a fit. After they clothes and fue small sum of m why they shoul their television community doe
It may be a portant to incre vide concession provide.concess any hon. Memb existing rebates cessions for the are welcomed. U of pensioners, a have to rely on a time to come. It instead of provid should increase necessary. As t does inflation.
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66
'Help the Aged v the provision of a nominal payment . television licence-ve incomes of many Come is harshly redu ing hardship.' Therefore, Help t kind of measure.
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