HC Deb 07 February 1990 vol 166 c674W
Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report the estimated cost (a) to community charge payers and (b) to business rate payers of providing free bus travel for pensioners in each of the regional councils in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

While community charge payers and business rate payers contribute to local authorities' income, from which the cost of services are met, it is not possible to attribute the cost of a service to a particular source of income.

Mr. Robert Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in theOfficial Report the estimated cost of providing free bus travel to pensioners in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Local authorities have estimated the cost of providing concessionary travel on public transport for pensioners and disabled persons in 1989–90 at £42. million. The cost for pensioners only is not available centrally.