HC Deb 24 March 1981 vol 1 cc792-3
4. Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the progress in his Department's consideration of the granting of concessionary fares to the unemployed.

Mr. Peter Morrison

As the right hon. Member may know, the hon. Member for Swansea, East (Mr. Anderson) and myself have been involved in this question. I am pleased to say that, following discussions with my department and the National Bus Company, a trial scheme is currently operating in South Wales. I hope that it will be a success.

Mr. Freeson

Does the Minister consider a trial scheme to be satisfactory when millions of people are in continuing unemployment? Should not action be taken to increase mobility to assist the unemployed and to reduce their tremendous burden of expenditure in seeking alternative employment, in travelling not only long distances around the country but even within striking distance of their own homes?

Mr. Morrison

I am somewhat surprised at the right hon. Gentleman's reaction. I should have thought that he would welcome the trial scheme. If he were to propose a scheme for his own area, we should be prepared to consider it, provided that no additional staff costs were involved. I do not recall his having done so.

Mr. Farr

As this is the International Year of Disabled People, will my hon. Friend consider approaching our right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to see whether disabled persons may be allowed concessionary travel on public transport?

Mr. Morrison

As my hon. Friend knows, my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Employment and for Social Services are always talking about such matters. Now that my hon. Friend has raised this point, I am sure that they will talk about it in future.

Mr. Anderson

Is the Minister aware that, since he personally authorised the trial scheme less than a month ago, more than 600 "job seeker" tickets have been issued in the South Wales transport area and I am assured by the company that no administrative problems have arisen? In the light of that monitoring process, will he consider extending the scheme to other appropriate areas?

Mr. Morrison

Perhaps I may first say how grateful I am to the hon. Member for bringing the matter to my attention originally. As he knows, he and I worked on this and we hope that we have reached a satisfactory conclusion in his area. I have already said that if other hon. Members, from whatever part of the House, wish to approach me on the matter, provided that no additional staff costs are involved, we are prepared to look at other schemes.