HC Deb 25 February 1985 vol 74 c3
2. Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what studies he has conducted since June 1983 into the optimum allocation of transport policy functions between the different tiers of local government in England.

Mrs. Chalker

In the months leading up to the publication of "Streamlining the Cities", and during the subsequent period of consultation, considerable time was given to the allocation of transport functions in the metropolitan counties.

Mr. Bennett

Which professional or academic bodies came out in favour of those proposals? How far can those proposals guarantee to my constituents in Stockport and Tameside that buses will run more frequently, and on time, and that fares will be cheaper?

Mrs. Chalker

Where districts are talking to the regional offices of my Department, it is possible to make progress on detailed matters such as the running of buses. The districts that refuse to talk to the Government, as so many are doing, do nothing but harm to the passengers in their areas. The Association of County Surveyors has asked for more information. Seeing that the Bill was going through, it has made helpful suggestions on ways in which matters may be arranged for the highway authorities to take over their responsibilities on abolition of the metropolitan county councils.

Mr. Marlow

In transport, as elsewhere in local government, should not local authorities be restricted increasingly to the control and oversight of policy rather than the provision of services, particularly as it is patently obvious that in many areas of local activity the local authority is unable to provide a fair balance between the demands of the public sector unions and the needs of the public.

Mrs. Chalker

I have much sympathy with what my hon. Friend said. As he knows, the subsidy for public transport rose from £10 million in 1972 to £520 million in 1982. We are not against subsidy, but we favour it only where it is a sensible use of money. Local authorities have muddled up the running of a transport service with their use of ratepayers' money.