HL Deb 07 March 1973 vol 339 cc1144-5

2.44 p.m.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that the extension of the use of bus lanes to include licensed taxi-cabs would facilitate the flow of traffic.

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the advice of my right honourable friend the Minister for Transport Industries to local authorities is that taxis should be allowed to use bus lanes only where this would not interfere with the primary aim of improving the bus flow.

LORD FARINGDON

My Lords, is the Minister aware that two metropolitan boroughs have adopted this scheme, and as one has been adopted subsequent to the other, is it not probable that the scheme has been found satisfactory? May I ask whether there are to be any further extensions of the scheme?

LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON

My Lords, the boroughs, which are the local traffic authorities, have power to do as they wish. The Department has issued advice in the form of a Circular (No. 1) which was sent out on January 1, 1972. It is our policy not to adhere rigidly to any particular attitude as to the advisability of allowing taxis to use bus lanes, since circumstances alter in each case.