§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to promote a system of uniform concessions for fares or road fund licences and uniform television licence 709W concessions for retirement pensioners and disabled people.
§ Mr. Alfred Morris:As explained in the White Paper on Transport Policy (Cmnd. 6836) my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport considers that the travel needs of elderly and disabled people are best met by local authority schemes, including schemes for concessionary bus fares or special arrangements where the conventional bus service is sparse. The White Paper suggested that local authorities should work towards more equitable and consistent arrangements for concessionary fares, and it promised withdrawal of the Government advice against introducing new schemes or improving existing ones. Television licensing is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Government are at present reconsidering the whole question of licence concessions in the light of the recommendations contained in the report of Lord Annan's Committee on the Future of Broadcasting (Cmnd. 6753) and of the consultations with interested parties which have taken place.