§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to equalise travel concessions for male and female pensioners. [57467]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Pensions Action 1995 already provides for women's eligibility for state pensions and concessionary fares to be raised from 60 to 65 over a transitional period from 2010 to 2020, thus equalising the qualifying age for men and women. There are no plans to change these dates. The link between pensionable age and eligibility for concessionary travel will be maintained throughout.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if an application is pending before the European Court of Justice on equalising the age at which pensioners may be entitled to travel concessions. [57693]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI know of none. The matter has already been tested in the European Court of Justice, which ruled that the present concessionary fares arrangements were outside the scope of Directive 79/7/EEC, which provides for the progressive implementation of equal treatment of men and women in matters of social security.