§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what concessionary fare schemes for public transport are available to blind people. [111974]
§ Mr. HillThe most recent comprehensive information available to the Department comes from a survey of the position in 1995–96. Of the 331 local authorities which responded to that survey, 299 provided a concessionary travel scheme for blind people. The areas covered by these schemes included Greater London and all the six metropolitan areas. At least 32 of the schemes provided free travel; the remainder offered a range of different concessions.
§ Mr. CoakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the payment of Disability Living Allowance to blind people and the disabled on entitlement to local authority concessionary fare schemes. [111975]
§ Mr. HillA survey of the position in 1995–96 indicated some differences between local authorities as to eligibility for concessionary travel for people in receipt of Disability Living Allowance. Last year the Department of Social Security and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions issued a guidance note to local authorities suggesting that concessionary travel should not be refused to people on the grounds that they were in receipt of the mobility element of the Disability Living Allowance.