To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pensioners in Hartlepool constituency (a) are eligible for and (b) have used the free local bus travel scheme. (130900)

(a) The number of residents of Hartlepool aged 60 and over, who, from 1 April 2006, are entitled to free off-peak local bus travel is around 19,200.

(b) Information on take-up of the concession in Hartlepool is not held centrally. Local authorities hold details of their residents who applied for concessionary travel.