Travel Concessions Act 1964

HC Deb 18 April 1973 vol 855 cc490-1

29. Mr. Moate

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what representations he has received about the operation of the Travel Concessions Act 1964.

Mr. Peyton

Very few, Sir.

Mr. Moate

Does my right hon. Friend agree that it must appear unreasonable to the elderly, the disabled and the blind that some areas have adequate schemes for concessionary travel while others have none at all and still others have very bad schemes? Is it not desirable for the Minister to have powers to collect information from local authorities about the schemes which they provide, so that he may issue guidance to local authorities where inadequate or no schemes are in operation?

Mr. Peyton

I am under very little pressure from local authorities to produce a uniform policy stretching over the whole country. In regard to my powers to collect information from local authorities, I may have many complaints, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that that is not one of them. I can always collect the information I want.

Mr. English

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that when we last had a uniform policy it was his party's policy, in a former Government, to forbid all concessions.

Mr. Peyton

I think that the hon. Gentleman is mistaken.