§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give further details of the additional resources he is making available to local authorities to introduce or improve concessionary fare schemes for the elderly.
§ Mr. HoramFor 1978–79 an additional £4 million has been provided in the rate support grant settlement. The Government's public expenditure plans envisage that by 1980–81, local authorities will be 471W spending an additional £31 million above last year's level of expenditure at 1977 survey prices. This figure is comparable with the increase of £25 million at 1976 survey prices in the White Paper on transport policy (Cmnd 6836).
§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations he has had concerning financial provision in the allocation of rate support grant to help fulfill the Government's aims regarding concessionary fares outlined in the White Paper on transport policy, Command Paper No. 6836; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoramAfter discussion with the local authority associations, the rate support grant settlement for 1978–79 provides for an additional expenditure of £4 million on concessions. The allocation of the resources set aside for further increases in expenditure in future years will be discussed with the associations as part of
Staff in post 1st April 1976 Staff in post 1st April 1977 Staff in post 1st April 1978 Target complement 1st April 1979 Science category … … … … … 576 549 505 514 Industrials … … … … … … 259 249 247 247 Other professional and technical staff … … 62 57 54 58 Administrative staff … … … … 91 81 76 78 Others … … … … … … 103 94 89 94
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what reduction in the forward research programme of the Transport and Road Research Laboratory has been made arising from the imposition of cash limits.
§ Mr. William RodgersAs a result of the financial constraints since 1975, the current 1978–79 provision for TRRL has been reduced by £3.7 million—28 per cent.—compared with 1976–77 levels. Of this, over half is accounted for by reductions in the extra-mural programme. Forward planning is based on the assumption that the 1978–79 level of funding will be sustained.
§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the effect of cash limits on the retirement procedure and promotion prospects of scientific staff in the Transport and Road Research Laboratory.
§ Mr. William RodgersThere has been no direct effect, but both have been affected by the measures that have been
472Wthe normal rate support grant negotiations.