§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what connection the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee has with his Department; what representations he has received from the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee that concessionary fares on buses 567W might he means-tested in future; what other representations, including those opposed to this suggestion, he has received; what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government on this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee is a statutory body, established under the Transport Act 1985, with responsibility for giving advice to the Secretary of State on matters relating to the transport needs of disabled people. In July 1988, DPTAC submitted a report to the Secretary of State on "Finance for Extra Markets for Public Transport". One of the recommendations in this report was that local authorities should consider targeting their expenditure on concessionary fares more closely to those most in need of such benefits, including in particular those with a mobility handicap. The report did not specifically propose means-testing. We have, however, received a number of letters expressing concern that means-testing for concessionary fares might be introduced.
As the Government confirmed in their reply to the DPTAC report, it will be for local authorities to decide whether to make any changes in their present arrangements in the light of the proposals in the report.