§ Mr. Parrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice and guidance is given by his Department to voluntary and other groups who want to set up community-based transport schemes.
§ Mr. David HowellI am anxious to do all that I can to help and encourage these groups, which can often provide flexible and responsive local transport services for those, like some elderly and disabled people, who cannot use public transport.
My Department already gives advice on legal aspects of operating minibuses, but there are many other areas in which reliable guidance is needed. I therefore propose to make an annual grant for a period of three years, starting this year, to Community Transport, a voluntary body which has wide experience in this field. The grant will be at a rate of 70 per cent., up to a maximum of £65,000 in the first year. This will help Community Transport to set up and run a small unit to provide a national source of expertise and advice to groups wanting to set up locally-based transport schemes and operate minibuses.
I believe that the practical experience which Community Transport will gain will also enable it to help my Department in formulating policy on minibuses and voluntary transport generally.