HC Deb 04 December 1974 vol 882 cc1552-4
30. Mr. Fry

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will introduce legislation at an early date to help deal with the problems of rural transport.

Mr. Carmichael

We are taking the views of both sides of the bus industry and the local authority associations.

Mr. Fry

Will the hon. Gentleman explain how, after having failed to support proposals put forward from this side of the House to encourage more minibuses in rural areas and the giving of lifts in private cars, there was no mention of that important problem in the Gracious Speech, despite the brave words in the Labour Party's manifesto? Does he realise that these problems are being aggravated daily, especially with the escalating price of petrol?

Mr. Carmichael

The hon. Gentleman should realise that this is a more complicated problem than he is suggesting. I saw certain attractions in the Bill introduced by his right hon. Friend the Member for Yeovil (Mr. Peyton), but when I looked at it closely I discovered many problems. In the last few weeks we have had several Adjournment debates, some of which were quite lengthy, on this subject. I think that hon. Members who took part in those debates realise the difficulty of the problem. We are aware of the problem and are working as hard as we can on it. However, it must not be thought that the matter can be solved by the waving of a wand. It is a very difficult problem.

Mr. Cryer

Does my hon. Friend accept that an improvement in rural transport services means the curtailment of expenditure on motorway programmes —not simply promises, but a definite fixed curtailment—so that people living in large areas of blight are able to resume normal living without that threat, which can last for several years?

Mr. Carmichael

I am aware of the problem of blight. I am also aware of the high cost of building motorways, and of not building motorways—because other problems arise when we do not build bypassess and improve roads in other ways. The matter is more complicated than merely taking money from the roads programme to help solve the rural transport problem.

Mrs. Kellett-Bowman

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that if he does not take action urgently on this matter of rural transport, some rural areas in my constituency will become completely in- accessible, as people cannot afford to pay the increased cost of petrol? Will he also, in concert with the Secretary of State for Education and Science, do something about the problems of school transport, which have been under consideration for a considerable period now?

Mr. Carmichael

I would refer the hon. Lady to the Adjournment debate on Friday last, when that very question was fully discussed. I am sure that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science will pay close attention to what the hon. Lady said about school transport.