§ Mr. Douglas Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report the current position in each region regarding the provision of concessionary bus fares to retirement pensioners.
§ Mr. William RossConcessionary bus fare schemes are operated at the discretion of regional and island councils and do not require my approval. Comprehensive and up to date information about the details92W of individual schemes is not, therefore, held centrally, and can best be obtained from the councils themselves.
§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what alternative relief is available to retirement pensioners in lieu of concessionary bus fares in areas where no bus services are provided.
§ Mr. William RossAll local authorities have powers under Section 83 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 to incur expenditure up to a product of 2p in the pound rate in any one year which in their opinion is in the interests of their area or any part of it or all or some of its inhabitants. The use of this power is at the discretion of each local authority under the conditions that the authority must be satisfied that the expenditure will be of benefit locally, and that it has no powers to contribute under any other enactment.