§ 3.5 p.m.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they consider that the Transport Act 1985 will ensure that passengers can obtain proper information, including comprehensive timetables.
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, it is in the operators' commercial interest, especially now that we have a more competitive environment, to ensure that passengers know when and where their services run. The Transport Act also gives local authorities and passenger transport executives the power to provide information on bus services. I understand that most local authorities are doing this.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Viscount for that reply. But is he aware that there is a patchwork of timetabling appearing across the country? For example, Devon, Cornwall and Suffolk, which have previously provided comprehensive timetables, now are unable to do so. In Northampton they have had three sets of timetables this year. In Lancaster the drivers walked out because the timetables cut half-an-hour off a two-and-a-half hour journey. In Farnham they had to revise the timetables because a schedule was laid out which did not allow time to pick up passengers. Would the noble Viscount agree that that does not amount to adequate information for passengers?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, we accept that there may be some teething troubles and that some timetables may not have been ready in time. That would go for any new venture of this magnitude. However it is clearly in the operators' commercial interests to keep passengers informed of timetables and any changes to them. Local authorities have been given power to publicise both subsidised and commercial networks. Most local authorities have publicised the subsidised network, and many have publicised all the services running in their area.
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, the noble Viscount referred to the Transport Act 1985. Is he aware that since passing that legislation Parliament has passed the Local Government Act 1986? Section 3 of that Act prevents local authorities from publishing any material other than that relating to its own activities or the activities of other local authorities or other public bodies. Therefore, that 1986 Act supersedes the Transport Act 1985. If my facts are correct, what do the Government propose to do in order to enable local authorities to carry out the work the Government believe they should he doing?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I mentioned the Transport Act 1985 because that is what the Question is about and I answered to the best of my ability. If there is anything in the 1986 Act which means that local authorities are not allowed to publish such material, which I very much doubt, I shall certainly write to the noble Lord.
§ Viscount Massereene and FerrardMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that there are many stations in England which are understaffed, apart from a signalman, so that one cannot buy a ticket? If one wishes to change to a faster train one cannot find the guard and cannot get a ticket in that way, either. Is my noble friend aware that what happens is that you must purchase a ticket, voluntarily, as you leave the station and are delayed for a considerable time until the ticket collector writes out a ticket?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I am afraid my noble friend is on the wrong rails! This Question is about buses.
§ Lord TeviotMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that I am delighted he is answering this Question? I cannot speak for county councils but for passenger transport executives, and while I did not agree 100 per cent. with the 1985 Act I am absolutely satisfied that they have spent a great deal of time and money in going from house to house delivering timetables through the doors. Credit should be given to them for that.
§ Viscount DavidsonI am grateful to my noble friend for confirming what I already thought.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, finally, is it not the case that if confusion persists—and it is likely to get worse in January when existing services can be withdrawn and new services introduced, given six weeks' notice—people will be discouraged from using buses and will revert to other forms of transport?
§ Viscount DavidsonMy Lords, I do not like to forecast, but I do not agree with the noble Lord that the situation will persist. I believe that the position will improve.