§ 25. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Transport if he will now take steps to empower all local authorities to allow old-age pensioners free travel on local transport within their jurisdiction.
§ Mr. HughesDoes not the Minister think that this would be an appropriate time for him to grant this extenuation to the poor, sick and weak old-age pensioners, now that they are being wantonly attacked by increased Health Service charges?
§ Mr. MarplesI could not accept all the hon. and learned Gentleman's supplementary question, but benefits in kind are not the most satisfactory way of dealing with this matter.
§ Miss HerbisonIs the Minister aware that for a very long time one of the hon. Members for Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been attempting to get private legislation? Is he also aware that many local authorities throughout Britain wish to have this power in order to help the old people in their areas, and does he realise that there is very strong criticism of the Government for pretending to give the greatest liberty to the local authorities, but strangling them on every possible occasion?
§ Mr. MarplesThe hon. Lady must realise that if this concession were given 453 to the local authorities to provide this facility, it would bear very hardly on those old-age pensioners who are in places where the service is not provided by the local authorities. Therefore, certainly, more anomalies would be created, and further a sense of injustice in some parts of the country would also be created.
§ Mr. HughesOn a point of order. I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.