Rural Transport

HC Deb 28 April 1965 vol 711 cc436-8

34. Mr. Peter Mills

asked the Minister of Transport what help he will give to rural transport operators.

Mr. Tom Fraser

Bus operators are already being relieved of the recent fuel tax increase so far as it affects their stage services, and the recent increases in vehicle excise duties have not been applied to them.

I have also now received the results of the local rural bus inquiries and experiments which were initiated last year in selected areas. They have provided useful information which I will publish as soon as possible. I propose to discuss the results with the associations of local authorities and bus operators.

Mr. Mills

I thank the Minister for what he has said. Would he not agree with me that one way in which we could help these rural bus operators, who are in very real trouble, would be for those who are running the educational buses to run the new State services as well? As the railways are being closed down, we desperately need these rural bus operators to take over this work. This is one way in which we could help.

Mr. Fraser

This is one respect in which an experiment was made during the past year, and on which there will be comments in the report, as the hon. Gentleman will see when it is published. This is just one of the things we will discuss with local authorities and bus operators who, between them, are responsible for these local bus services. It may be that there will have to be some adjustments of the licensing provisions to enable this to be done.

Mr. Snow

Is my right hon. Friend aware that one of the characteristics of the development of the West Midlands overspill schemes is the extension into the countryside of estates, both private and municipal, and that it is becoming a very serious problem, with the rural transport facilities there are, to get these residents to and from their work? Will he take this aspect into account in any future plans he has?

Mr. Fraser

Certainly.

Mr. Ronald Bell

What will emerge from these discussions and considerations that the Minister is to have? Will he issue some report, or what tangible form will the communication take? Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that this is a matter of widespread interest? Will he bear in mind that I wrote to him several weeks ago on behalf of three or four hon. Members and myself and that we are still awaiting an answer to those letters on this subject? In fact, will he not keep inside his bosom whatever advice he receives from these gentlemen, but pass it on to us?

Mr. Fraser

I said straight away that I intended to publish the results of the experiments that we carried through, and publish them as soon as possible. I have said that I shall have discussions with the local authority associations and the bus operators—

Mr. Ronald Bell

When?

Mr. Fraser

Straight away. I think that it will be for hon. Members to prod me again in the future as to what the results of my discussions are, rather than that I should undertake at this time formally to communicate in some way or other with the House. I am sure that the House will not be backward in finding out what the outcome of the discussions is.

42. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Transport when he expects to complete the review of rural transport; what steps he intends to take, following the representations made to him, to include the Richmond to Barnard Castle bus service in his regional transport review; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Swingler

My right hon. Friend has informed the House of the latest position on the rural bus inquiries, in reply to a Question he has just answered today from the hon. Member for Torrington (Mr. Peter Mills).

The regional planning board will be concerned with long-term rather than immediate problems. We would not consider it appropriate to bring individual bus services to its notice at this stage.