HC Deb 01 March 1978 vol 945 cc221-2W
45. Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he is giving to making concessionary fares for the elderly a matter of national policy rather than of discretion for the local authorities.

Mr. Horam

I reviewed the policy for concessionary fares last year. As explained in the transport policy White Paper, a national scheme as good as the most generous current schemes would be too expensive, and a national scheme which we could afford would mean a reduction in some existing schemes. I am therefore making more resources available for local authorities to introduce or improve schemes.

59. Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Transport why the Government have not introduced a nationwide scheme for concessionary fares on public transport.

Mr. Horam

We considered the possibility of a national concessionary fares scheme before issuing the transport policy White Paper, but concluded that we could not afford a national scheme as good as the most generous existing schemes. Any uniform national scheme that we could afford would therefore mean reducing the concessions at present enjoyed by a large number of people. I am making resources available for local authorities to introduce new and improved schemes.