§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will introduce reduced transport fares for women on reaching retirement age at 60 years.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is precluded by the provisions of the Sex Discrimination (Northern Ireland) Order 1976 from making a distinction on age grounds between men and women. The qualifying age for concessionary half-fare travel by bus and rail in Northern Ireland is 65 years for men and women, and there are no plans to alter it.