Local Transport Bill [HL]

I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. The amendment has a point. For those for whom driving is not optional, this is effectively a tax on disabled people, not a charge on congestion. The Government have recognised as much in the impact assessment on the draft Bill. If local road-charging schemes take off, this will be a growing problem. As I said, Durham has already introduced a scheme, so the Minister and his guidance will not be in time to anticipate that. I understand that others are coming up imminently. However, I hear what the Minister says about alternative ways of achieving the sort of effect that the amendment hopes to achieve. I hope that the Minster will keep the matter under review as schemes develop. If it appears to be a growing problem, perhaps the Minister will be prepared to use some of the powers he has referred to in his reply. For the time being, however, I am happy to withdraw the amendment.