HC Deb 27 October 1982 vol 29 cc1032-3
15. Mr. Thornton

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of competition in bus transport since the passage of the Transport Act 1980.

Mr. Eyre

The removal in the Transport Act 1980 of unnecessary restrictions has meant a greater freedom of choice for travellers and a better deal on fares. I shall continue to give every encouragement to operators to respond to the needs of the public in this way.

Mr. Thornton

Do not my hon. Friend's remarks fully justify the Government's confidence in the 1980 Act? Does he agree that these benefits are of tremendous value to the fare-paying and travelling public?

Mr. Eyre

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his remarks, with which I agree. I emphasise particularly the reduction in bureaucracy. The relaxation in licensing, the removal of unnecessary fares control and the replacement of vehicle licensing by operator licensing all represent genuine reductions in bureaucracy and have been welcomed by public transport operators.

Mr. Marks

What has been the effect in the rural areas, where public transport has declined considerably? Has there been an improvement?

Mr. Eyre

In some areas there has been a welcome development of mini-bus and other innovatory services. I am told that in some areas people are saying that tile service provided in that innovatory way is better than the stage services that were provided previously.

Mr. Cockeram

Is it not remarkable that those on low incomes travel by bus, which does not carry a subsidy, whereas those on higher incomes travel by train, which carries a massive subsidy?

Mr. Eyre

My hon. Friend is not correct, because, by way of transport supplementary grant, £260 million a year is paid in subsidy to stage service operators.

Mr. Dobson

Will the Minister tell us how many million passenger miles of bus transport have been withdrawn since the passage of the 1980 Act? If, as I imagine, he does not have the figure with him, will he place it in the Library?

Mr. Eyre

I shall see if I can comply with the hon. Gentleman's request. However, he knows that bus stage services have been declining over the past 30 years. We know the reasons for that process and for the development of alternative transport. The hon. Gentleman should bear that in mind in considering the figure.