Disabled People, Merseyside

HC Deb 01 May 1987 vol 115 cc250-1W

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on transport provision made for disabled people on Merseyside; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

Passenger transport authorities and their executives have a statutory duty to have regard to the transport needs of the disabled in arranging for public transport provision in their area. It is for them to judge how best this duty can be met.

I understand that in Merseyside the passenger transport executive recently let a fresh contract for the provision of special transport for the disabled. It has set aside £500,000 for this purpose in 1977–88—an increase of £200,000 on last year's expenditure.