HC Deb 18 July 1979 vol 970 cc1765-6
13. Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the effect of increasing petrol and diesel oil costs on operating costs of public transport executive bus services, he will now seek to change at the earliest opportunity the licensing powers of the traffic commissioners so as to allow private enterprise operators to offer services in rural areas.

Mr. Fowler

I am urgently examining ways of reforming the bus licensing system with the aim of allowing new ser- vices to develop. I believe that this will be to the benefit of rural areas.

Mr. Mills

Will the Minister further consider, once this is possible, issuing guidelines to local authorities to suggest further ways of encouraging private enterprise mini-coach services, particularly for rural areas?

Mr. Fowler

I will consider that proposal. I believe that there is a great potential for the provision of new services in rural areas. As many of my hon. Friends who represent rural areas know, transport in those areas is often very unsatisfactory.

Mrs. Dunwoody

Is the Minister aware that he cannot have it both ways? He cannot undercut existing bus services by giving routes to cheap-rate private enterprise people and expect those existing bus services to remain viable. Will he please make sure that safety is the first matter that he bears in mind before he hands out any licences to cheapjack operators?

Mr. Fowler

I have never sought in any way to depart from the safety standards of the bus licensing system, and I agree with the hon. Lady's remarks on that aspect. But she must recognise that there are inadequate services in many parts of the country and that it is sensible to encourage new operators to come forward to provide the necessary services.

Mr. Stokes

In rural areas, will my right hon. Friend consider some alternative form of transport, such as horse transport, which is extremely economical?

Mr. Fowler

I think that that comes under what my Department would call unconventional forms of transport. I will look at it.

Mr. Hardy

Does the Minister agree that it is essential that public road transport should be encouraged as an intelligent response to the energy crisis? In view of that, will he tell the House whether he regards the policies and priorities of the South Yorkshire county council in that regard as desirable?

Mr. Fowler

The South Yorkshire county council had its battles with the last Administration on that point. I regard public transport—and new public transport—as being extremely important at the present time.