§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek to amend Section 138 of the Transport Act 1968 so as to enable concessionary fares to be extended to include private hire vehicles and taxis.
§ Dr. GilbertThe Government have recognised, in a circular to local authorities following the rate support grant settlement for 1975–76, that neither the extension of existing concessionary fare schemes, nor the introduction of any more schemes, is possible at present. The standstill in local authority current expenditure for 1976–77 announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 5th August—[Vol. 897, c. 116.]—means that we cannot consider any alteration to local authorities' powers under Section 138 of the Transport Act 1968 whch would imply an increase in expenditure on travel concessions.