To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he would provide financial support for concessionary fares on buses and trains for every pensioner when he or she reaches retirement age.

The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland is precluded by the provisions of the Sex Discrimination (NI) Order 1976 from making a distinction on age grounds between men and women. The qualifying age for concessionary half-fare travel by bus and rail in Northern Ireland is age 65 years for men and women and there are no plans to alter it.