§ 12. Mr. Powleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what new opportunities his Department has created for the development of new small businesses.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Transport Act 1985 has opened up the market for local bus services. British Rail has opened its supply and support services to competition from the private sector, and new business opportunities will be available to taxi operators.
§ Mr. PowleyI thank my hon. Friend for his informative reply. Will his Department publish the opportunities for bus and taxi companies and where those opportunities will be available? On behalf of small businesses and myself, I thank the Department for the steps that have been taken to improve access on the All up to Norwich.
§ Mr. MitchellI assure my hon. Friend that a series of leaflets will be issued to explain the new Act and the opportunities that it provides. The Department's traffic area officers will advise on how to apply for an operator's licence and how to register a local service. There will be an opportunity up to February for anyone to register a new bus service, and from about April onwards there will be opportunities for tendering for revenue supported operations from county and district councils.