HC Deb 28 November 1988 vol 142 c420
5. Mr. Yeo

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received regarding the danger to road surfaces caused by passenger coaches.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

We have received no formal representations.

Less than 2 per cent. of road wear and tear on motorways in the United Kingdom is attributable to buses and coaches, and some 8 per cent. of road wear and tear to all United Kingdom roads.

Mr. Yeo

As wear and tear caused by passenger coaches is clearly much greater than that caused by ordinary passenger cars, does my hon. Friend agree that it is utterly ridiculous that the licence fee for coaches is less than that for private motor cars? That prevents any fair competition between rail and road. British Rail is expected to make a contribution to costs, but under present policies passenger coaches are not.

Mr. Bottomley

I think that these are issues that the Government should keep under review.

Mr. Adley

With respect, that answer is only half good enough. There were some useful side effects of coach deregulation, but the Metropolitan police have described the situation in London caused by coach deregulation as horrendous. Vehicle excise duty for a 53-seater coach is less than that for a Fiat Panda. Coaches park anywhere and pay nothing for it. They leave their engines running and cause major pollution. Will my hon. Friend review the Act that governs deregulation, not with the idea of scrapping it, but with a view of returning to the London boroughs the right to designate coach routes in London?

Mr. Bottomley

That is going slightly wide of the question, but it may be that these issues ought to be considered in some other way and in some other place.