§ Mr. Russell Johnston (Inverness, Nairn and Lochaber)I have the honour to present a petition on behalf of the Highland region branch of the National and Local Government Officers Association. That branch has carefully considered the White Paper on buses and the Transport Bill, and its considered view is that legislation based on those is highly undesirable; that concessionary fares for the elderly, the disabled and others in special need could disappear; that the strict safety standards needed for public service vehicles would not be upheld; that continuity, reliability and stability of services would end; that there would be particular problems for persons in rural areas; that poor services would be left, they would no longer link and they would become less frequent.
The petition concludes:
Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House reject any legislation to implement the proposals of the White Paper on Buses and the Transport Bill.And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.