HC Deb 24 January 1962 vol 652 cc188-9
19. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the increased cost of transport causes hardship to those who, by reason of age or disability, find walking difficult or impossible and who must use public transport; and if he will now seek statutory authority to enable local authorities to provide free travel in public vehicles for such persons.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr. John Hay)

I have nothing to add to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and learned Member for Ilkeston (Mr. Oliver) on 22nd November last.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister not realise that that is a disgraceful and contumacious Answer? Does he not realise that the beneficial legislation asked for in the Question would cost very little out of public funds and that it is time that beneficial legislation in favour of the old and the weak was enacted by the Government, especially in these days of large hand-outs to plutocrats?

Mr. Hay

I cannot accept the epithets which the hon. and learned Gentleman has used. All I can say is that this issue has been before Parliament on a number of occasions since 1955 and, as far as I am aware, Parliament has always said that travel concessions of this kind are not the right way of dealing with the problems of the aged and disabled.

Mr. Willis

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the present situation is quite absurd, that in one town a concession is given and in another town there is no concession, and that it cannot be given under existing legislation? Whatever Parliament thinks, there is one thing about it: Parliament never wished that this anomalous situation should continue for any length of time.

Mr. Hay

There are and always will be anomalies so long as such concessions are related to local authorities, because there are many parts of the country, particularly in London, for example, where local authorities do not provide bus services at all.