§ 30. Mr. Mike Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the steps his Department is taking to protect retirement pensioners and those in receipt of supplementary benefit and family income supplement from increases in prices in the nationalised transport industries.
§ Mr. CarmichaelBritish Rail at present runs an extensive scheme of offpeak concessionary fares. I understand that it is at present considering a new tariff scheme for old-age pensioners. As regards buses, concessionary fares schemes are a matter for the local authorities, subject to the present severe constraints on public expenditure. The Government continue to give help to the railways in support of a passenger railway network for social reasons. Increased transport costs are one of the factors in the wider considerations determining the regular increases in social security benefit.