Written question asked by Graham Stringer (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 June 2006. It was answered by Baroness Merron (Labour) on Monday, 19 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Concessionary Travel Scheme

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many appeals have been lodged with him by bus operators against concessionary travel schemes introduced in 2006; which concessionary travel authorities' schemes have been appealed against; and when he will (a) consider and (b) decide each appeal.

Answer: 60 appeals have been lodged with the Secretary of State against the following concessionary travel schemes introduced on 1 April 2006:"Bedfordshire County Council""Bristol City Council (on behalf of Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset)""Cherwell District Council""City of York Council""Devon County Council""Dorset County Council""East Sussex County Council""Essex County Council""Gloucestershire County Council""Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive""Hampshire County Council""Harrogate Borough Council""Kent County Council""Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive""Norfolk County Council""Redditch Borough Council""South Oxfordshire District Council""South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive""Suffolk County Council""Warwickshire County Council""West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive""West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive""Wiltshire County Council"The legislation does not specify any time limit for reaching a decision on appeals. The Secretary of State will consider and determine the appeals within a reasonable timeframe.

Secondary information