National Bus Company

HC Deb 16 November 1977 vol 939 cc552-3

4. Sir A. Meyer

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next intends to meet the Chairman of the National Bus Company.

24. Mr. Tim Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet representatives of the National Bus Company.

Mr. William Rodgers

Next week.

Sir A. Meyer

When the right hon. Gentleman meets the chairman, will he urge upon him the desirability of persuading the constituent companies of the National Bus Company to follow the example of British Rail and provide cheap off-peak fares, especially for old-age pensioners, since the present level of fares discourages the use of buses, especially in rural areas?

Mr. Rodgers

I shall draw the chairman's attention to what the hon. Gentleman said. I am sure that it is the chairman's wish to raise the standards of all the companies within the National Bus Company to the standards of the best and to bear in mind exactly considerations of the kind mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Dempsey

Will my right hon. Friend draw the chairman's attention to the most unsatisfactory condition of many buses upon which the public are expected to travel? Will my right hon. Friend also direct this gentleman's attention to the large number of buses lying unused because of the shortage of spare parts and ask him to take immediate and effective action to tackle the problem?

Mr. Rodgers

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for drawing these matters to my attention. I shall convey them to the chairman. My hon. Friend may like to give me some details of specific examples of what he has in mind so that they may be examined more carefully.