Clause 2
Concessionary Bus Travel Bill [Lords]
12:00 pm
Gillian Merron (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Transport; Lincoln, Labour)
I am happy to get back to the hon. Gentleman on that very point when it becomes clear.
I refer also to the inclusion in the clause of London authorities as travel concession authorities, which means that such authorities will reimburse operators of eligible London service permit routes, of which there are about 30, so that they can accept concessionary passes for the first time. They will also have a role in enforcement. They will not have to issue passes to London residents, as the legislation will allow freedom passes to be used. London Councils can perform the functions in question on behalf of the London authorities, as they do for the reimbursement of Transport for London.
In answer to the question that the hon. Member for Wimbledon asked about the Isles of Scilly and the sum of £38 million, I am happy to inform him and the Committee that inspiration has struck me: of the total of £250 million, £38 million goes to devolved administration, leaving £212 million for the English authorities. If the hon. Gentleman would like any further information, I should be happy to provide that.