§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many letters his Department has received on the orange badge scheme for each of the last six months;
(2) how many staff in his Department spend most of their time dealing with inquiries relating to the orange badge scheme.
§ Mr. ChopeThe following number of letters were received in the last six months:
Number September 122 October 136 November 116 December 68 January 121 February 106 and it is estimated that there are more than 1 million orange badge holders.
Three members of the Department's staff are primarily employed in answering inquiries from them and others.
§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce regulations revising the orange badge scheme.
§ Mr. ChopeI wish to see agreements among user groups before making any decision on the orange badge scheme.
I will then bring forward the necessary amending regulations.
§ Mr. HannamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he is taking to discourage local authorities from establishing local schemes which undermine the national nature of the orange badge scheme.
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§ Mr. ChopeI hope that the introduction of a new passport-style badge will be a significant aid to enforcement which will discourage local authorities from setting up their own schemes.