§ 82. Mr. Pardoeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimate he has made of the total subsidy required in 1971 and 1972 from central and local government by rural bus operators if existing rural bus services are to be maintained at the 1970 level.
§ Mr. PeytonExpenditure on rural bus grants cannot be precisely estimated. Where operators' own resources do not suffice, it will be for local authorities to decide what services are essential and how they can best be provided. My Department contributes 50 per cent. of local authorities' expenditure on grants for this purpose.