HC Deb 19 May 1971 vol 817 cc1261-2
26. Mr. Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he hopes to receive the results of the pilot surveys now being undertaken concerning all aspects of the provision of bus services in rural areas; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peyton

Very soon. I shall make a statement when I have studied them.

Mr. Hicks

Will my right hon. Friend take note of the urgency of the situation? Is he aware that in the past 10 years the number of fare journeys carried by the Western and Southern Omnibus Company has fallen from 89 million to 55 million and that in Cornwall alone 14 routes have been withdrawn during the last six months? Will he give consideration to a fundamental reform of the licensing system?

Mr. Peyton

I am well aware of the importance and gravity of the problem. I shall have, and, indeed, am having, a look at the licensing system. I remind my hon. Friend that the root of the problem is the multiplication of car journeys which have simply taken away the customers from the buses.

Mr. David Steel

When the Minister is looking at the licensing system, will he bear in mind that the costs to bus operators in rural areas are unnecessarily high if they are unable, because of Ministry licensing requirements, to use the off-the-peg production mini-buses, which are cheaper than the expensive adaptations needed to meet Ministry licensing requirements?

Mr. Peyton

Yes. I do not disagree with the hon. Gentleman's sensible point.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that in these surveys the fullest possible weight will be given to the problem which is rapidly increasing, particularly in the Eastern Counties, as a result of prices going up for school children in the early morning?

Mr. Peyton

Yes, Sir. Every point made by my hon. Friend will be borne in mind—though I hate using the phrase.

Mr. Ashton

Will the Minister look at those local authorities which refuse to take advantage of possible Government subsidies because they might have to spend a penny of their rates to do so? In this survey will he also look at the corporation tax which national bus companies are paying? Is he also aware that in rural districts transport is worse than at the beginning of the century?

Mr. Peyton

I shall certainly have a look at all the matters the hon. Gentleman has raised. However, I remind him that corporation tax is not my immediate responsibility.