§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the Greater London Council will receive more or less rate support or other grant from the Treasury to assist in the provision of free fares for pensioners in consequence of the measures outlined by the Minister in his statement of 18 January; and if he will make a statement detailing the amounts involved.
§ Mr. David HowellAs I told the House on 18 January —[Vol. 16, c.38]—no extra grant is being offered to the Greater London Council to finance free fares for pensioners. The Government have, however, offered to bring forward legislation to give the council the same powers as other authorities to finance and operate a concessionary fares scheme for pensioners.
The Greater London Council allocation of transport supplementary grant will not be changed as a result, because expenditure on concessionary fares for pensioners is not eligible for this grant. Whether the council will receive more or less rate support grant will depend on the level of its total expenditure on all services on its rate revenue account. The first indication for 1982–83 will be next month when the council determines its budget and rate precept.
§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in view of the public transport policies in South Yorkshire, Sheffield and elsewhere, he will now introduce legislation to ensure that in all metropolitan counties and districts, the user of public transport pays a fair share of running costs as against the ratepayer and central Government, whilst recognising the special position of the pensioner and disabled.
§ Mr. David HowellI entirely agree that users should meet a fair share of the cost of public transport. This is162W reflected in my transport supplementary grant settlement. Following the recent House of Lords decision on subsidies for London Transport, South Yorkshire county council and other local authorities are, I understand, considering carefully the consequences for their own policies. I do not believe that immediate legislation is called for, but I shall keep the situation under review.