asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the need for a system of differential grants from Her Majesty's Government to assist local authorities which have a higher proportion of retired persons requiring subsidised bus transportation than the average in the country.

Expenditure on concessionary fares is relevant for rate support grant which aleady takes account of variations in expenditure needs and resources between different authorities. My right hon. Friend has under consideration the possibility of payment of the needs element of the grant directly to non-metropolitan district councils.