To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on mutual recognition for pensioners from Wales and from England in concessionary bus travel schemes on both sides of the border. (186259)

I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues on a range of issues affecting Wales.

There is provision within the current legislation for mutual recognition for concessionary bus travel. It will require secondary legislation to be put in place and at present the focus of the Concessionary Bus Travel Act (2007) is to ensure a successful introduction of the new England-wide concession when it comes into force on 1 April 2008.

Under the Act individual local authorities will be able to come to agreements with bus companies offering a cross border service to allow their residents to use their passes to travel between England and Wales.