§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many local authorities in Britain provide concessionary fares for blind people; and if he will name them.
§ Mr. PortilloVoluntary surveys carried out in 1986 by the Department of Transport, the Scottish Office and the Welsh Office showed that in November that year there were concessionary fares schemes for the blind in 326 English and Welsh districts, some run by the districts themselves and some by the county council or passenger transport authority; and that schemes were also operated by nine regional councils and two island councils in Scotland. Further details of the schemes are given in Transport and Road Research Laboratory research report 165 on "Concessionary Fares Schemes in Great Britain 1986", a copy of which has been deposited in the library of the House. The London boroughs also operate a joint scheme for the blind covering the London area.