Travel concession schemes

HC Deb 29 October 1985 vol 84 cc944-8

. — (1) Any local authority, or any two or more local authorities acting jointly, may establish a travel concession scheme for the provision of travel concessions on journeys on public passenger transport services—

1. (a) between places in the principal area covered by the scheme;
2. (b) between such places and places outside but in the vicinity of that area; or
3. (c) between places outside but in the vicinity of that area; by operators of such services participating in the scheme.

(2) For the purposes of this section, the principal area covered by a scheme under this section is—

1. (a) the area of the local authority concerned or. where two or more such authorities are concerned, the area comprising the areas of both or all those authorities; or
2. (b) if an area comprised within the area which would be the principal area under paragraph (a) above is specified in the scheme as being the principal area to which the scheme applies, the area so specified.

(4) Any travel concession scheme established under this section shall define—

1. (a) the travel concessions which are for the time being to be provided by operators participating in the scheme;
2. (b) the description of persons eligible in accordance with subsection (8) below to receive travel concessions under any such scheme who are for the time being to qualify for travel concessions provided under scheme; and
3. (c) the dates in any year currently adopted as the dates on which operators may be admitted to participate in the scheme under section (Right of eligible service operators to participate in travel concession schemes) of this Act (referred to below in this section as the standard admission dates);

and may include particulars of any other arrangements for the time being adopted by the authority or authorities concerned in establishing the scheme with respect to the operation, scope and application of the scheme. (5) Any such scheme may define the standard admission dates by specifying particular dates, or by referring to dates of any specified description or separated by intervals of any specified length; but those dates, however determined, must not be separated by intervals of a length exceeding such period as may be prescribed. (6) Arrangements adopted by the authority or authorities concerned in establishing any such scheme with respect to the operation, scope and application of the scheme (including the matters specifically mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of subsection (4) above) may differ for different descriptions of concessions or services to which the scheme applies. (7) Subject to section 88 of this Act, where an operator participating in any such scheme in respect of any services operated by him provides travel concessions in accordance with the scheme for persons travelling on those services, the authority responsible for administration of the scheme or (as the case may be) the authorities so responsible in such proportions respectively as they may agree among themselves shall reimburse that operator for providing those concessions. (8) The persons eligible to receive travel concessions under any such scheme are—

1. (a) men over the age of sixty-five years and women over the age of sixty years;
2. (b) persons whose age does not exceed sixteen years;
3. (c) persons whose age exceeds sixteen years but does not exceed eighteen years and who are undergoing full-time education;
4. (d) blind persons, that is to say, persons so blind as to be unable to perform any work for which sight is essential;
5. (e) persons suffering from any disability or injury which, in the opinion of the authority or any of the authorities responsible for administration of the scheme, seriously impairs their ability to walk; and
6. (f) such other classes of persons as the Secretary of State may by order specify.")

(9) In this section "local authority"—

1. (a) means the council of a county or district in England and Wales or a regional or islands council in Scotland; and
2. (b) includes also, in relation to England and Wales, a metropolitan county passenger transport authority.

(10) Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section and in the provisions of this Part of this Act relating to schemes under this section to the authority or authorities responsible for administration of a scheme under this section are references—

1. (a) except in a case to which paragraph (b) below applies, to the authority concerned in establishing the scheme or, where two or more authorities are so concerned, to both or all those authorities acting jointly; or
2. (b) where the authority or one of the authorities concerned in establishing the scheme are a Passenger Transport Authority for a passenger transport area in England and Wales,

to the Passenger Transport Executive for that Authority's area or (as the case may require) to that Executive and the other authority or authorities so concerned acting jointly. (11) Where a Passenger Transport Authority have established a scheme under this section, whether alone or jointly with any other authority or authorities, they shall notify the Passenger Transport Executive for their area of any proposal to vary the scheme, giving particulars of the proposed variation.")

Read a Second time.

Amendment (a) proposed to Lords amendment No. 223, in line 39, leave out paragraphs (a) to (f) and insert—

1. (a) any persons in receipt of any form of pension or who are over the age of sixty in the case of women and sixty-five in the case of men.
2. (b) all persons under the age of eighteen who are not in full time work.
3. (c) any persons who in the opinion of the authority suffer from any disability which in the opinion of the authority makes that person unable to rely on private forms of transport.
4. (d) any other persons whose receipt of travel concessions, would in the opinion of the authority, improve the efficiency of the public transport service provided.'. —[Mr. Craigen.]

Question put, That amendment (a) to the Lords amendment be made:—

The House divided: Ayes 177, Noes 228.

Division No. 307]	[9.45 pm
AYES
Abse, Leo	Hamilton, W. W. (Central Fife)
Adams, Allen (Paisley N)	Hancock, Mr. Michael
Alton, David	Hardy, Peter
Anderson, Donald	Harman, Ms Harriet
Archer, Rt Hon Peter	Harrison, Rt Hon Walter
Ashley, Rt Hon Jack	Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith
Ashton, Joe	Healey, Rt Hon Denis
Atkinson, N. (Tottenham)	Heffer, Eric S.
Bagier, Gordon A. T.	Holland, Stuart (Vauxhall)
Banks, Tony (Newham NW)	Home Robertson, John
Barron, Kevin	Howells, Geraint
Beckett, Mrs Margaret	Hughes, Dr. Mark (Durham)
Beith, A. J.	Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N)
Bell, Stuart	Hughes, Roy (Newport East)
Benn, Tony	Hughes, Sean (Knowsley S)
Bermingham, Gerald	Hughes, Simon (Southwark)
Bidwell, Sydney	Janner, Hon Greville
Bray, Dr Jeremy	John, Brynmor
Brown, Gordon (D'f'mline E)	Jones, Barry (Alyn & Deeside)
Brown, Hugh D. (Provan)	Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald
Brown, N. (N'c'tle-u-Tyne E)	Kennedy, Charles
Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith)	Kirkwood, Archy
Bruce, Malcolm	Lambie, David
Buchan, Norman	Lamond, James
Callaghan, Jim (Heyw'd & M)	Leadbitter, Ted
Campbell, Ian	Leighton, Ronald
Campbell-Savours, Dale	Lewis, Ron (Carlisle)
Canavan, Dennis	Lewis, Terence (Worsley)
Carter-Jones, Lewis	Litherland, Robert
Clark, Dr David (S Shields)	Livsey, Richard
Clarke, Thomas	Lloyd, Tony (Stretford)
Clay, Robert	Lofthouse, Geoffrey
Cocks, Rt Hon M. (Bristol S.)	Loyden, Edward
Cohen, Harry	McCartney, Hugh
Coleman, Donald	McDonald, Dr Oonagh
Cook, Frank (Stockton North)	McKay, Allen (Penistone)
Cook, Robin F. (Livingston)	McKelvey, William
Corbett, Robin	MacKenzie, Rt Hon Gregor
Corbyn, Jeremy	McNamara, Kevin
Craigen, J. M.	McTaggart, Robert
Cunliffe, Lawrence	McWilliam, John
Cunningham, Dr John	Madden, Max
Dalyell, Tam	Marek, Dr John
Davies, Ronald (Caerphilly)	Marshall, David (Shettleston)
Davis, Terry (B'ham, H'ge H'l)	Martin, Michael
Deakins, Eric	Mason, Rt Hon Roy
Dewar, Donald	Maxton, John
Dixon, Donald	Maynard, Miss Joan
Dobson, Frank	Meacher, Michael
Dormand, Jack	Michie, William
Douglas, Dick	Mikardo, Ian
Dubs, Alfred	Miller, Dr M. S. (E Kilbride)
Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G.	Mitchell, Austin (G't Grimsby)
Eadie, Alex	Morris, Rt Hon A. (W'shawe)
Eastham, Ken	Morris, Rt Hon J. (Aberavon)
Ellis, Raymond	Nellist, David
Evans, John (St. Helens N)	Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon
Ewing, Harry	O'Brien, William
Fatchett, Derek	O'Neill, Martin
Faulds, Andrew	Park, George
Field, Frank (Birkenhead)	Patchett, Terry
Fields, T. (L'pool Broad Gn)	Pavitt, Laurie
Fisher, Mark	Pendry, Tom
Forrester, John	Penhaligon, David
Foster, Derek	Pike, Peter
Foulkes, George	Powell, Raymond (Ogmore)
Fraser, J. (Norwood)	Radice, Giles
Freeson, Rt Hon Reginald	Randall, Stuart
George, Bruce	Redmond, M.
Godman, Dr Norman	Rees, Rt Hon M. (Leeds S)
Golding, John	Richardson, Ms Jo
Gourlay, Harry	Robertson, George
Hamilton, James (M'well N)	Robinson, G. (Coventry NW)

Rogers, Allan	Thorne, Stan (Preston)
Rooker, J. W.	Tinn, James
Ross, Stephen (Isle of Wight)	Torney, Tom
Rowlands, Ted	Wardell, Gareth (Gower)
Sedgemore, Brian	Weetch, Ken
Sheerman, Barry	Welsh, Michael
Sheldon, Rt Hon R.	White, James
Shore, Rt Hon Peter	Wigley, Dafydd
Short, Ms Clare (Ladywood)	Williams, Rt Hon A.
Silkin, Rt Hon J.	Wilson, Gordon
Skinner, Dennis	Winnick, David
Snape, Peter	Woodall, Alec
Soley, Clive	Young, David (Bolton SE)
Stewart, Rt Hon D. (W Isles)
Stott, Roger	Tellers for the Ayes
Strang, Gavin	Mr. Frank Haynes and
Straw, Jack	Mr. Roger Thomas.
Thomas, Dafydd (Merioneth)
NOES
Aitken, Jonathan	Eyre, Sir Reginald
Alexander, Richard	Fallon, Michael
Amess, David	Fletcher, Alexander
Ancram, Michael	Forman, Nigel
Ashby, David	Forsyth, Michael (Stirling)
Aspinwall, Jack	Franks, Cecil
Atkins, Robert (South Ribble)	Fraser, Peter (Angus East)
Atkinson, David (B'm'th E)	Galley, Roy
Baker, Rt Hon K. (Mole Vall'y)	Gardner, Sir Edward (Fylde)
Baker, Nicholas (N Dorset)	Garel-Jones, Tristan
Baldry, Tony	Gilmour, Rt Hon Sir Ian
Banks, Robert (Harrogate)	Glyn, Dr Alan
Batiste, Spencer	Gower, Sir Raymond
Beaumont-Dark, Anthony	Grant, Sir Anthony
Bellingham, Henry	Gregory, Conal
Benyon, William	Griffiths, Sir Eldon
Biffen, Rt Hon John	Grist, Ian
Biggs-Davison, Sir John	Ground, Patrick
Blackburn, John	Grylls, Michael
Body, Richard	Hamilton, Neil (Tatton)
Boscawen, Hon Robert	Hampson, Dr Keith
Bottomley, Peter	Harris, David
Bottomley, Mrs Virginia	Hawkins, Sir Paul (SW N'folk)
Bowden, A. (Brighton K'to'n)	Hayward, Robert
Bowden, Gerald (Dulwich)	Heathcoat-Amory, David
Boyson, Dr Rhodes	Heddle, John
Brandon-Bravo, Martin	Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L.
Bright, Graham	Hogg, Hon Douglas (Gr'th'm)
Brinton, Tim	Holland, Sir Philip (Gedling)
Brown, M. (Brigg & Cl'thpes)	Howarth, Gerald (Cannock)
Browne, John	Howell, Rt Hon D. (G'ldford)
Bruinvels, Peter	Jessel, Toby
Buchanan-Smith, Rt Hon A.	Johnson Smith, Sir Geoffrey
Buck, Sir Antony	Kershaw, Sir Anthony
Bulmer, Esmond	Lamont, Norman
Burt, Alistair	Lang, Ian
Butler, Hon Adam	Lawler, Geoffrey
Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln)	Lewis, Sir Kenneth (Stamf'd)
Carttiss, Michael	Lightbown, David
Channon, Rt Hon Paul	Lilley, Peter
Chapman, Sydney	Lloyd, Ian (Havant)
Chope, Christopher	Lloyd, Peter, (Fareham)
Clark, Dr Michael (Rochford)	Lord, Michael
Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S)	Luce, Richard
Cockeram, Eric	Lyell, Nicholas
Colvin, Michael	McCurley, Mrs Anna
Conway, Derek	MacGregor, Rt Hon John
Cope, John	MacKay, Andrew (Berkshire)
Cormack, Patrick	MacKay, John (Argyll & Bute)
Corrie, John	Maclean, David John
Crouch, David	McQuarrie, Albert
Currie, Mrs Edwina	Madel, David
Dickens, Geoffrey	Major, John
Dorrell, Stephen	Malins, Humfrey
Douglas-Hamilton, Lord J.	Malone, Gerald
Dover, Den	Marland, Paul
du Cann, Rt Hon Sir Edward	Mates, Michael
Dunn, Robert	Mather, Carol
Durant, Tony	Maude, Hon Francis
Evennett, David	Mawhinney, Dr Brian

Mayhew, Sir Patrick	Shepherd, Colin (Hereford)
Mellor, David	Shersby, Michael
Miller, Hal (B'grove)	Silvester, Fred
Mills, lain (Meriden)	Smith, Tim (Beaconsfield)
Miscampbell, Norman	Soames, Hon Nicholas
Mitchell, David (NW Hants)	Speed, Keith
Molyneaux, Rt Hon James	Speller, Tony
Monro, Sir Hector	Spence, John
Montgomery, Sir Fergus	Spencer, Derek
Moore, John	Spicer, Jim (W Dorset)
Morris, M. (N'hampton, S)	Squire, Robin
Morrison, Hon C. (Devizes)	Stanbrook, Ivor
Moynihan, Hon C.	Stern, Michael
Murphy, Christopher	Stevens, Lewis (Nuneaton)
Neale, Gerrard	Stewart, Allan (Eastwood)
Nelson, Anthony	Stewart, Andrew (Sherwood)
Neubert, Michael	Stewart, Ian (N Hertf'dshire)
Newton, Tony	Stradling Thomas, Sir John
Nicholls, Patrick	Sumberg, David
Oppenheim, Phillip	Tapsell, Sir Peter
Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S.	Taylor, John (Solihull)
Ottaway, Richard	Taylor, Teddy (S'end E)
Page, Sir John (Harrow W)	Tebbit, Rt Hon Norman
Page, Richard (Herts SW)	Temple-Morris, Peter
Parris, Matthew	Terlezki, Stefan
Patten, Christopher (Bath)	Thomas, Rt Hon Peter
Patten, J. (Oxf W & Abdgn)	Thompson, Donald (Calder V)
Pawsey, James	Thompson, Patrick (N'ich N)
Percival, Rt Hon Sir Ian	Thurnham, Peter
Pollock, Alexander	Townend, John (Bridlington)
Portillo, Michael	Tracey, Richard
Powell, Rt Hon J. E. (S Down)	Twinn, Dr Ian
Powell, William (Corby)	Vaughan, Sir Gerard
Powley, John	Viggers, Peter
Prentice, Rt Hon Reg	Waddington, David
Price, Sir David	Wakeham, Rt Hon John
Proctor, K. Harvey	Waldegrave, Hon William
Raffan, Keith	Walden, George
Raison, Rt Hon Timothy	Walker, Bill (T'side N)
Rhodes James, Robert	Waller, Gary
Rhys Williams, Sir Brandon	Ward, John
Ridley, Rt Hon Nicholas	Wardle, C. (Bexhill)
Ridsdale, Sir Julian	Watson, John
Roberts, Wyn (Conwy)	Watts, John
Robinson, Mark (N'port W)	Wheeler, John
Roe, Mrs Marion	Whitfield, John
Rossi, Sir Hugh	Whitney, Raymond
Rost, Peter	Winterton, Mrs Ann
Rowe, Andrew	Wolfson, Mark
Rumbold, Mrs Angela	Wood, Timothy
Ryder, Richard	Yeo, Tim
Sackville, Hon Thomas	Young, Sir George (Acton)
Sainsbury, Hon Timothy
Sayeed, Jonathan	Tellers for the Noes:
Shaw, Giles (Pudsey)	Mr. Archie Hamilton and
Shaw, Sir Michael (Scarb')	Mr. Mark Lennox-Boyd.

Question accordingly negatived.

Lords amendments Nos. 223 to 241 agreed to.

Lords amendment: No. 242, after clause 95, insert the following new clause—