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18 Apr 2006 : Column 650W—continued

Television Licence (Exemption)

Mr. Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what the total cost of the television licence exemption for those aged 75 years and over has been since the scheme was established; [63436]
 
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(2) what the total cost of the exemption from the television licence fee for the 75-year-olds and over in the Walsall borough (a) was in 2005 and (b) has been since the scheme was established [63611]

James Purnell: Neither Television Licensing, who administer the television licensing system as agents of the BBC, nor the Department for Work and Pensions, who have responsibility for funding the free television licence scheme, are able to provide geographical breakdowns of the amount spent on free television licences. However, the total cost of funding free television licences for those aged 75 and over for the financial years 2000–01 to 2004–05 inclusive was £1,895 million. The estimated outturn for the year 2005–06 is £459 million.

Wembley Stadium

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of
 
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reports that the construction company Multiplex has had to lay-off sub-contractors building the new Wembley Stadium; and if she will make a statement. [63320]

Mr. Caborn: Issues relating to the employment of sub-contractors on the Wembley Stadium construction site are matters for Multiplex.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complimentary tickets her Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany. [63908]

Mr. Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not received any complimentary tickets for World Cup matches taking place in Germany this summer.

It is likely that a number of DCMS Ministers will attend matches and may be accompanied by officials. However, no decisions about Ministerial attendance have been made at this time.