§ 13. Mr. PopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many buses more than 12 years old are currently in use; and what was the comparative figure in 1985–86. [588]
§ Mr. BowisIn 1994–95, there were 26,000 public service vehicles in the bus taxation class having nine or more seats and more than 12 years old. The comparable figure in 1985–86 was 12,000.
§ Mr. PopeDoes that not show that the number of old buses in use has doubled since deregulation 10 years ago? We have seen passenger safety compromised and people getting a worse service because of dogma. Is there not a case for the Government to accept the need, as we have suggested, for a new public-private partnership and a new regulatory framework to provide a better, safer service for passengers?
§ Mr. BowisThe answer is no. The figures need to be looked at in context. The total number of public service vehicles has gone up from 67,000 to 75,000 over that period. In the past five years, new registrations have gone up from 3,000 to more than 5,000, with reports of significant orders being placed. Age is not the determining factor for safety or for pollution. Quality of maintenance is the key. If the hon. Gentleman is reflecting his party's policy, I hope that he has had the cost to the taxpayer that it would bring in cleared by his hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, East (Mr. Smith), the former shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury.
The hon. Gentleman is also posing a threat to the wish of Londoners to have the Routemaster in service—a bus which goes back 30 years. If the Labour party's policy is to ban it because it is more than 12 years old, the people 323 of London will want to know. We shall resist that just as much as we shall resist Mr. Kinnock should he put forward European legislation on the matter.