HC Deb 24 October 1983 vol 47 cc1-3
1. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to publish his White Paper on the future co-ordination of public transport services in the London area.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Nicholas Ridley)

The White Paper, "Public Transport in London" —Cmnd. 9004—was published on 26 July 1983.

Mr. Spearing

Does the Secretary of State agree that the White Paper contained no mention of the scheme for old-age pensioners' travel on buses and tubes? Does he recall that that scheme was introduced individually by boroughs, but taken over by the GLC and administered by it under both political parties? If the GLC is abolished will it not put the scheme at risk, since there is no guarantee of equivalent finance for an equivalent standard of free pass?

Mr. Ridley

I am glad to tell the hon. Gentleman that I understand that the London Boroughs Association, at its meeting last Wednesday, announced that it would assume responsibility for the existing GLC scheme for concessionary fares. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will be glad to join me in welcoming that and in heavily condemning the GLC for the ridiculous scare stories that it put out on this matter.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment and ask him whether the new authority will be able to bring about some uniformity in travel concessions in London and in those other parts of the country that will be served by that authority?

Mr. Ridley

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what he said. I shall do my best to help him in all the many transport problems that he will raise with me. In answer to his question, the London boroughs will take over the scheme, and I hope that they will be able to improve it. However, we are rather jumping ahead, because it will be some time before they actually assume responsibility.

Mr. Dubs

Will the Minister say how the new proposed London regional transport authority will be allowed to set its expenditure levels? Is he aware that on the basis of the Government's approach to other local authority spending it is likely that there will be a cut of at least a half in public transport spending in London?

Mr. Ridley

We are still considering the final details, but no major change in the level of subsidy is intended. It will come partly direct from the Government and partly perhaps from a rate precept which will pass through the Government to the new LRT. The details will be made plain to the hon. Gentleman when the legislation is published.

Mr. Eggar

Is it not quite outrageous that the GLC has been using ratepayers' money to mount this propaganda battle to scare our old-age pensioners? Is it not another justification for the abolition of the GLC?

Mr. Ridley

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend that it is outrageous. It is a complete waste of ratepayers' money, and it is particularly obnoxious in that it involves trying to frighten elderly people.

Mr. Cohen

On the matter of pensioners' free travel passes, is the Minister aware that "pursuit" — in his words—by the London Boroughs Association is a long way from a guarantee for the scheme? Will he give an absolute guarantee that London pensioners' free travel passes will not be taken away?

Mr. Ridley

I do not remember using the word "pursuit"; I merely quoted what the London boroughs had decided. I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman would be pleased to hear that news and would welcome it in the spirit in which it was meant.