§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what publicity is(a) being given and (b) planned to the change in eligibility for the travel pass for elderly people from 1 April (i) in London and (ii) elsewhere; and if he will make a statement. [101750]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe DTLR Press Release 2002/0069 of 27 February 2002 gave details of the contents of the Travel Concessions (Eligibility) Act 2002 directly it received Royal Assent. The DfT will issue a further Press Release within the next two weeks to again publicise that from 1 April 2003 men will become eligible for travel concessions at the same age as women.
Responsibility for local publicity to inform the public about the change in eligibility for the travel pass for elderly people lies with the local authorities or Passenger Transport Executives. The Local Government Association has alerted its members to the change and reminded them that they may wish to advertise appropriate local advance application arrangements.