§ 12 and 30. Dr. John Dunwoodyasked the Minister of Transport (1) when she will commence the proposed bus experiments in rural areas; what experiments have been arranged; and what further proposals she is considering;
(2) to what extent she is co-operating with the Postmaster-General in the field of rural transport; and what further plans she has.
§ Mrs. CastleAs announced in the debate on transport policy on 22nd February, my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General intends to arrange a series of six rural mail bus experiments. The first has started in Mongomeryshire. The sites for the further experiments will be chosen jointly by the Postmaster-General and myself, after consultations with the local authorities, local bus operators, and Traffic Commissioners. We need to find places where the service needed will fit in with the postal operating requirements and will not conflict with other operators' services.
Investigations are now in hand and the second site is likely to be in Devon or Cornwall. If my hon. Friend has any particular route to suggest, perhaps he will let me know.
§ Dr. DunwoodyIs my right hon. Friend aware that the steps she has taken will be warmly welcomed in rural areas, particularly in the South-West, which has a very difficult transport problem? May I assure my right hon. Friend that I will try to bring the special problems of particular regions to her notice?
§ Mrs. CastleI am aware that this kind of experiment will bring new hope to rural areas, and I am grateful to my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General for co-operating so generously in this considerable number of experiments.
§ Mr. BessellMay I ask the right hon. Lady if she will discount Devon from 1497 her calculations and concentrate upon Cornwall?
§ Mrs. CastleAs I said in my original reply, the site to be chosen must depend upon a number of factors. Each suggestion will be considered on its merits, in the light of those factors.