§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will issue guidance to local authorities, transport authorities and public transport bodies pending the introduction of legislation to encourage greater consistency in concessionary fares schemes for pensioners. [63998]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe announced our intention to legislate for a statutory minimum concessionary fare scheme for pensioners in our White Paper "A New Deal for Transport", the minimum scheme will entail half fares, on purchase of a £5 annual bus pass. Meanwhile, decisions on concessionary fare schemes will remain for individual local authorities. I have no plans to issue guidance to them, but I should, of course, be glad if those authorities who at present offer less generous schemes were to implement the proposed minimum in advance of legislation.