§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his Circular 2/78, issued last month, on concessionary fare schemes for pensioners, to whom this circular has been issued; if its contents will apply to district councils and to county councils in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William RodgersCircular 2/78 was addressed to county and district authorities in England and Wales, and its contents apply to them. I shall consider the need for a statement when I can judge local authorities' progress in improving their concessionary fares schemes.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he is having with bus operators and others on the question of concessionary bus fares for the elderly, blind and disabled; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. William RodgersI had full consultations with bus operators, local authority associations and others before issuing Circular 2/78 in which local authorities were urged to meet half the cost of the local bus fares for pensioners and the disabled. It is now for local authorities to undertake discussions with operators in implementing the circular.