HC Deb 26 November 1986 vol 106 c278W
Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has offered any advice to county and district councils and transport authorities, as regards consultation with the appropriate national voluntary organisations when selecting travel concessions for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

Local councils and transport authorities involved in establishing travel concession schemes have general duties to have regard to the needs of members of the public who are elderly or disabled in formulating their transport policies. To fulfil these duties they may well wish to establish local consultation arrangements with voluntary organisations and others. My Department has issued no central advice on how such consultation might take place.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements he has made to arrange monitoring of the implementation of the provisions of the Transport Act 1985 regarding the provision of travel concessions to disabled people; and if he will publish a report.

Mr. David Mitchell

Earlier this year my Department, together with the Scottish Development Department and the Welsh Office, undertook a survey of local authorities to establish what schemes for concessionary fares to the elderly and disabled they had established or intended to establish under the 1985 Transport Act, and what schemes had been in operation before. Almost all authorities indicated that they planned to maintain concessions for handicapped people provided under earlier legislation, and a significant proportion planned to extend them.

Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to involve voluntary organisations in publicising travel concessions for disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. David Mitchell

The authority or authorities which establish a travel concession scheme are responsible under the Transport Act 1985 for publishing full particulars. It is for them to involve local voluntary organisations where they see fit. I am aware that a number of authorities do so and I welcome this.