§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assistance he provides to local authorities in order that they can provide free rail passes to pensioners entitling them to concessionary rail travel; [106071]
(2) whether his Department instructs local authorities on the rate at which rail passes should be supplied to pensioners for concessionary rail travel; [106070]
(3) what discussions he has had with HM Treasury regarding the provision of free (a) passes for pensioners entitling them to concessionary rail travel and (b) off-peak travel on all public transport for all pensioners; [106072]
(4) what guidelines he issues to local authorities on the provision of rail passes for pensioners entitling them to concessionary travel. [106069]
§ Mr. JamiesonBeyond the statutory minimum requirement for concessionary travel (half-fare on local buses for older and disabled people, with no charge for the pass) decisions about whether to offer a more generous scheme for bus and rail travel are for the relevant PTAs/local authorities.
Expenditure on concessionary travel schemes is covered by the contribution that the Government makes to local authorities through the annual grant settlement, including where a PTA/local authority offers consessionary travel on local railways.