§ 11. Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Transport what encouragement he is giving to district councils to take over the running of passenger transport services in metropolitan areas.
§ Mrs. ChalkerOnce the new joint boards have been set up, we shall be prepared to consider proposals from metropolitan district councils to provide separate services and enter into arrangements with other operators in the public and private sectors.
§ Mr. ThurnhamWill my hon. Friend say on what basis the Government will judge applications by district councils to have more control over their local services?
§ Mrs. ChalkerI can only say to my hon. Friend that after the transfer of responsibilities of the metropolitan councils a district council that puts forward a proposal to the Secretary of State will have that proposal judged on its merits. I cannot say more than that at present.
§ Mr. PikeWhen the Minister makes any decision about the future of transport in the metropolitan counties, will she take into account the difficulties that were encountered in those areas before the transport authorities were established, when municipal undertakings were running services along similar routes, at different fares, with great confusion? As a result of that situation the PTEs and PTAs were established to provide sensible and co-ordinated transport services for the conurbations.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs the hon. Gentleman knows from the consultation document, the PTAs are there. What happens in the future will be a matter to be considered on its merits. I note carefully what the hon. Gentleman says and will be taking that into consideration in any proposal that might come forward.