HC Deb 11 November 1969 vol 791 cc168-9
27. Mr. Winnick

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will seek to amend the London Transport Act 1969 so as to enable him to control the provision of concessionary fares for the retired and disabled.

Mr. Mulley

No, Sir.

Mr. Winnick

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Tory-dominated London Boroughs Association has turned down any scheme for concessionary fares for retired people who want to travel within London, which means that retired people in Greater London are denied the rights of concessionary fares which are enjoyed by many pensioners in many other parts of the country?

Mr. Mulley

The purpose of the London Transport Act, 1969, was to place the people of London in the same position as people in other parts of the country. It provided that the local authorities concerned would have discretion to grant concessionary fares and about the kind of concessionary arrangements they wanted to make. It was the proper arrangement for London to be on the same footing as the rest of the country. It is open to individual London boroughs to take what action they consider appropriate in this respect.

Mr. Lipton

Will my right hon. Friend use his influence with the London boroughs to persuade them to exercise the powers which at long last they now have and which are similar to those exercised by provincial local authorities? Would it not be ridiculous for one or two of the London boroughs to exercise this power while other boroughs in the immediate vicinity did not allow concessionary fares?

Mr. Mulley

The point about giving discretion to local authorities is that they decide for themselves, obviously having regard, I hope, to the views of the people in their areas, which is the right course to pursue. I should like concessionary fares schemes to be operated as widely as possible, not only in London but in other parts of the country. I understand that the situation in some parts of the country is the same as it is in London at the moment.