§ Mr. WinnickTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) when was the last occasion that Walsall council contacted his Department regarding the concessionary bus pass for those in receipt of the disability living allowance; what advice was given to the council in this respect; and if a Minister will now write to the council;
(2) what action his Department will be taking if a council refuses to follow its advice regarding those entitled to the concessionary bus pass;
(3) pursuant to his answer on 7 May, Official Report, column 299, what has been the latest response received from Walsall council regarding allowing those in receipt of the disability living allowance to have the concessionary bus pass.
§ Mr. ScottWalsall metropolitan borough council wrote to the Department on 10 May with the observations of the 459W council's lawyers on section 73(14) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. The Department is engaged in negotiations with the Council in an attempt to come to an agreement as to the scope of section 73(14) and its applicability to the council's concessionary fare scheme. The Department will consider, at the conclusion of those negotiations, whether further action is necessary.