HC Deb 02 December 1985 vol 88 cc11-2
14. Mr. Tony Lloyd

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met representatives of the passenger transport executives to discuss the current and prospective level of Government grant for local transport.

Mr. David Mitchell

Rate support grant for the metropolitan counties and for the passenger transport authorities that will succeed them will depend on their grant-related expenditure assessments and on their actual expenditure. For the first three years, the new PTAs will be constrained by precept control under the Rates Act 1984, and I am currently considering the authorities' applications for redetermination of their expenditure levels. Other grants are available for public transport capital projects under section 56 of the Transport Act 1968.

Mr. Lloyd

Is the Minister aware that there is considerable concern in Greater Manchester that both the quality and the quantity of bus services will deteriorate as a result of cuts in the grants available to passenger transport executives and the effect of the Transport Act 1985? What specific guarantees can he give that that will not happen? What guarantees can he also give that the light rapid transport system will be allowed to go into operation?

Mr. Mitchell

We are waiting to see and consider all aspects of the light rapid transport system to ascertain whether it represents an economical and sensible use of resources.

With regard to fears about the deterioration of bus services in Manchester, I should have thought that, after the substantial arguments during the passage of the Transport Bill, the people of Manchester would by now have realised that the fears constantly peddled by public representatives in the area have no validity whatever. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has provided the full amounts necessary to allow existing concessionary fares to continue. Advice on revenue support is based on expenditure falling into line with the Public Expenditure Survey Committee provision.