§ 41. Mr. KilfedderTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce full concessionary fares for pensioners throughout the Province.
§ Mr. NeedhamNo. I have no plans to extend the existing scheme, which entitles persons over the age of 65, as well as children under 16 and the registered war disabled, to concessionary travel throughout Northern Ireland at half-fare on all scheduled bus and rail services, without restriction on time of travel or length of journey. Registered blind persons travel free. These concessions are financed by grants to the bus and rail companies amounting to some £6 million a year.