To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many (a) district councils and (b) metropolitan district councils have introduced a concessionary fares scheme for elderly or disabled people in their area under discretionary powers granted by the Transport Act 1985.

According to a survey by my Department in 1986, there were concessionary fare schemes for pensioners or disabled people in over 90 per cent. of districts in England and Wales, some operated by district councils and some by county councils. In metropolitan areas the passenger transport executives can provide these schemes, and I understand that they all do so. In London a scheme is funded by the boroughs.