HC Deb 21 April 1969 vol 782 cc13-4
3. Mr. Brooks

asked the Minister of Transport what plans he has to rationalise the use of the various bus undertakings throughout Wirral, Cheshire; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Bob Brown

This is for the operators themselves. Rationalisation will be facilitated by the establishment of the National Bus Company and the appointment shortly of the Executive for the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and these two bodies have a statutory duty to co-operate with each other.

Mr. Brooks

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the present division of labour between the Corporation and Crosville Bus Services dates from 1930, and now that we are 40 years on and the bus service is getting steadily more afar and asunder, is it not important to have an urgent rationalisation of the system before it is too late?

Mr. Brown

I appreciate what my hon. Friend says, but rationalisation is a more difficult and complicated exercise, and has more repercussions, than many people seem to realise. It is not the sort of thing to be embarked upon with responsibility about to be transferred to the new P.T.A.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

Are we to understand from the hon. Gentleman that the difficulties of rationalisation which were pointed out from this side of the House before there was the expenditure of £50 million on the B.E.T. buses have become apparent to hon. Gentlemen opposite?

Mr. Brown

Not at all. I am not saying that. I am suggesting that the acquisition of the B.E.T. and the establishment of the N.B.C. and the P.T.A. will make rationalisation a better and easier proposition.