§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many district authorities run concessionary bus fare schemes for retirement pensioners in the United Kingdom and what was the number in 1975, 1974 and 1973.
§ Mr. MarksOf the 333 non-metropolitan district councils in England and Wales the number known to be operating concessionary fares schemes is:
Year Number 1974 … … 268 1975 … … 287 1976 … … 245 No information is available for 1973. In addition all the metropolitan county councils in England and the Greater London Council operate schemes.
In Scotland concessionary fares are the responsibility of the regional and islands councils; all nine councils operate schemes.
668WIn Northern Ireland local authorities are not responsible for concessionary fares.
§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the average level of assistance given by local authorities in the United Kingdom for retirement pensioners under concessionary bus fare schemes.
§ Mr. MarksTotal expenditure by local authorities in Great Britain on concessionary bus fare schemes for the elderly, blind and disabled is at present about £80 million a year. Figures relating to schemes for the elderly alone are not available. This overall expenditure works out at about £8.50 per head of the population of pensionable age. Local authorities are not responsible for concessionary fares in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Norman Fowlerasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the total sum being paid out by local authorities on concessionary fares in 1975–76, at 1975 survey prices.
§ Dr. GilbertThe amount spent in 1975–76 by local authorities in England and Wales on concessionary fares for elderly, blind and disabled people and for children, other than for journeys to school, was £55 million at 1975 survey prices.