HC Deb 09 July 1984 vol 63 cc687-8
11. Mr. Hal Miller

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any information on the number of new passenger coaches ordered and put into service since the deregulation of express road services and as to how many of these new coaches were British made.

Mrs. Chalker

Many new express services have been introduced since deregulation, but the figures available for registrations of the vehicles do not distinguish between buses and coaches. Between 1980 and 1983 annual bus and coach registrations fell from about 5,800 to about 3,700. In 1980, 92 per cent. were vehicles made in Britain and in 1983, 79 per cent.

Mr. Miller

Does my hon. Friend agree that the opportunities arising from deregulation give a real chance to British coach manufacturers and that those concerned with supporting British Leyland at Bathgate and elsewhere should encourage them to seek such opportunities rather than to rely on the continuation of bus subsidies?

Mrs. Chalker

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There is a marvellous opportunity for British Leyland, not only in export markets, where it has already made significant new strides, but in this country arising from deregulation. I sincerely hope that the stimulus to provide a better quality of coach is a challenge which British Leyland will take up, because we know that it can produce the best coaches in the world if it is organised to do so.

Mr. Wiggin

Is not the obvious success of these new services in no small measure due to the speed with which they are able to travel on our excellent motorway system? How does my hon. Friend align her decision last week to constrain motor cars — which, after all, are smaller, lighter and more manoeuvrable—to the same speed as these huge monsters?

Mrs. Chalker

The modern coach, under good road conditions, is capable of travelling at a maximum of 70 mph. Cars may be able to do better, but there is absolutely no doubt that were speeds to be increased above what they are today there would be more tragic accidents and greater problems on our motorways.