§ 37. Mr. Watkinsasked the Minister of Transport how many applications for the withdrawal of omnibus services have been received within the area of north Breconshire and Radnorshire within the last two years; how many have been allowed; and how many are now pending the consideration of the appropriate traffic commissioners.
§ Vice - Admiral Hughes HallettLicences for 11 stage services have been surrendered. Five of these services have however been continued under other operators. Applications have been granted to reduce three other services. Reductions of two further services have been authorised temporarily pending a public hearing.
§ Mr. WatkinsMay I ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether he will cause an inquiry to be made in this part of my constituency to ensure that, following the curtailment of services, some service will be provided to take young people to work? There will be no service at all after this. Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman consult the Minister for Welsh Affairs and examine a letter sent by the Radnorshire County Council last week in connection with this matter?
§ Vice-Admiral Hughes HallettI shall consider the points made by the hon. Gentleman, but I am bound to say that this is really part of the general rural bus problem. Services are withdrawn because of a lack of support and greater use of private transport, and, as the hon. 425 Gentleman knows, there is still no unanimity over the various remedies suggested for the problem. Both subsidies and licensing relaxations are open to objection. My right hon. Friend is mounting experiments in typical rural areas to test various practical suggestions, as he explained in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Mr. Speir) on 11th March.
§ Mr. WatkinsWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the Minister of Transport examine the Jack Report and the Kinsey Morgan Report for Wales and carry out some of the valuable suggestions contained therein?