HC Deb 17 April 1985 vol 77 c172W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, upon abolition of the Greater London council, London borough councils will be permitted to charge more than the administrative costs of issuing concessionary travel permits for the elderly.

Mrs. Chalker

Upon abolition of the GLC, the London borough councils will be free to organise a voluntary uniform scheme for the elderly and will be able to impose charges for issuing permits under existing powers available to the GLC and all other local authorities.

If however the statutory reserve scheme is brought into effect, the imposition of such charges will be subject to the approval of the Secretary of State. The object is to ensure that the purpose of the reserve scheme is not frustrated by any individual borough attempting to recover from its pensioners and unreasonably high proportion of the costs.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transoprt what resources his Department is providing for the working parties of borough officers looking into the effect of abolition of the Greater London council on highways and traffic matters in London.

Mrs. Chalker

All the existing resources of the Department are available for consultation and to give help to London boroughs as well as to other local authorities throughout the country on matters of common interest.