HC Deb 02 July 1975 vol 894 cc484-5W
Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has examined the experiment being carried out by Norfolk County Council in supplying and maintaining a minibus which is being run as a "do-it-yourself" bus service in its rural areas; and if he will now make a statement on his policy towards these services.

Mr. Carmichael

The Chairman of the National Bus Company drew my attention to this proposed experiment. The Eastern Counties Omnibus Company, a subsidiary of the NBC, would be providing, licensing, insuring and maintaining the minibus, and training a panel of local part-time licensed drivers. The county council would receive the revenue from services and pay the company an agreed rate. The day-to-day operations would be managed by a local village committee under a steering committee composed of the local authorities and the bus company. Application would have to be made to the Traffic Commissioners for a permit under Section 30 of the Transport Act 1968 in lieu of a road service licence. I made clear to the Chairman of NBC that I welcomed such an experiment as a useful initiative that could be especially relevant to tackling rural transport problems.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what extra funds are being made available to provide subsidies for rural bus services in the county of Cheshire in the current year.

Mr. Carmichael

I would refer to my reply to the hon. Member for Bosworth (Mr. Butler) on 16th June 1975.—[Vol. 893, c.330.]