Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael will today [Monday] call on the Government to ensure that all pensioners over the age of 75 are able to receive commercial terrestrial channels without having to pay for TV licences or viewing cards.

Many people in areas not served by an analogue service had until recently used a satellite and "Solus" viewing card to access the main terrestrial channels. However, a new contract reached between the BBC and BSkyB in March this year has resulted in viewers no longer being able to watch ITV, Channel 4 or FIVE using the card. Last month the Government announced that a new viewing card was to be made available for a one-off purchase cost of £23.50. These will operate for a minimum of two years.

Isles MP Alistair Carmichael will today call on the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to make representations to the Treasury to secure funding so that pensioners over 75 - who currently receive free television licences - will be exempt from the £23.50 fee.

Commenting ahead of the debate Mr Carmichael said:"The Government, by giving TV licences to all over 75s, has established a principle that these people should receive free TV services. People living in parts of the country where for no fault of their own they do not get a normal analogue signal should not be put in a different position. I understand that the costs involved would not be massive."