§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take action to ensure that the agreement reached by the London Committee on Accessible Transport, representing London boroughs and the relevant transport providers, for a seven-year contract for providing senior citizens travelcards in Greater London is approved by the British Railways Board.[23406]
§ Mr. NorrisThis is a matter for the British Railways Board. The board has decided that it would be inappropriate for the board to commit, as yet unknown, private sector franchise operators to a seven-year concessionary fares scheme in London. A 12-month agreement, as suggested by the board, will ensure the continuation of this popular concessionary scheme on the34W same terms as before and allow franchise operators to take part in discussions about the arrangements for a long-term scheme.