§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the estimated total cost to public funds, both in central Government and local government, of support for passenger bus services in the United Kingdom; and what are the main categories of expenditure.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe total cost to public funds in 1982–83 was £31 million of new bus grant from central Government, £523 million* of revenue support from local government — including the estimated support for depreciation and renewal charges—and £254 million† of payments by local government for concessionary travel for pensioners and the disabled. In addition, the Government rebated to the bus industry fuel duty totalling £105 million.
Notes:
* Includes revenue support to Tyne and Wear Metro and ferry.
† Includes payments for concessionary travel on London underground, Tyne and Wear Metro and on BR services in English metropolitan counties.