§ Mr. GroganTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much government grant per capita was allocated for concessionary fares on public transport in 2003–04 in(a) West Yorkshire, (b) South Yorkshire and (c) North Yorkshire. [149386]
§ Mr. McNultyGovernment provision for existing concessionary travel schemes is included in the general grant for local authorities. This is distributed using formula spending shares and it is not possible to provide an allocation for each authority. It is for local authorities to decide their spending priorities in the light of their responsibilities and the wishes of their electorate.1118W Spend on a per capita basis in 2002–03 by each of the three authorities on concessionary fare reimbursement was approximately as follows:
West Yorkshire—£11.45 per headSouth Yorkshire—£9.85 per headNorth Yorkshire (on an aggregate of its seven district councils) —£2.33 per head.In North Yorkshire the concessionary fare schemes were funded by district councils, not the county.West Yorkshire PTE's concessionary fares scheme provides for a flat fare on buses and rail services for older and disabled people. Schoolchildren and students can also travel at a reduced fare. South Yorkshire PTE's scheme provides for flat fares on local bus, tram and train services for older and disabled people, schoolchildren and students. In North Yorkshire the seven district councils all provide a half fare scheme on bus services for older and disabled people only, with some providing concessionary travel on other modes.