§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he was consulted concerning the decision of London Regional Transport to discontinue the child fare permit scheme with local authorities; and what are the savings to boroughs and London Regional Transport.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand that the scheme has been withdrawn because boroughs no longer make any significant use of it, preferring to subsidise travel for scholars aged 16 or over by reimbursing parents directly. Across the whole of London, London Regional Transport received requests to issue only 341 permits this year. There is no question of their having to consult Ministers about minor changes of this sort. I understand that the change will result in a small saving in administrative costs.