HC Deb 18 November 1997 vol 301 c146
36. Mr. Patrick Hall

If he will make a statement on the Government's support for concessionary travel and community transport schemes. [14878]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Concessionary travel schemes are a matter for local authorities. On community transport, my Department provides grant to the Community Transport Association's information and advice service, and to the rural transport development fund, administered by the Rural Development Commission.

Mr. Hall

My hon. Friend will be aware of the many concerns expressed by my constituents in Bedford, especially pensioners, at the proposal of the Conservative-controlled Bedfordshire county council to cease funding the concessionary fares scheme in Bedfordshire from next spring. Does she share the concerns of those people, and will she join me in asking the local authorities in Bedfordshire to work together as constructively as possible to ensure the continued safe existence of the concessionary fares and dial-a-ride schemes in my constituency, which are so important to the disabled and pensioners and so good for the environment, public transport and the local economy?

Ms Jackson

My hon. Friend will be aware that all such decisions are matters for local authorities, but I have little doubt that, with his commitment to his constituency and his constituents, he will do all in his power to ensure that the relevant authorities are brought together to discuss this issue.

Mr. Wilkinson

Can the hon. Lady say whether, in her guidelines to the consultants who will be studying the future of London Underground, she has made it a requirement that the concessionary fare for old-age pensioners will be retained by the London boroughs? If not, from next year, old-age pensioners and other members of the travelling public will face diabolical fare increases, well above inflation. To be candid, something needs to be done urgently to put London Transport to rights.

Ms Jackson

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that a decision on the way forward for London Underground has still to be taken in the light of the options being examined by the Government's financial advisers. On concessionary fares, he does no service to the pensioners of London by raising the possibility that they will be lost. As he well knows, the concessionary fare scheme is funded by all boroughs, which have managed to fund it every year.