HC Deb 21 March 1991 vol 188 cc209-10W
Mr. Hannam

To 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. Chope

The 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. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce regulations revising the orange badge scheme.

Mr. Chope

I 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. Hannam

To 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.

Mr. Chope

I 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.

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