§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the estimated cost of the additional staffing required in the public sector arising out of his proposed legislation on public transport subsidies.
§ Mr. EyreIn the first year or two, a maximum of about £500,000, but the legislation should quickly lead to staff savings and cost savings arising from increased efficiency and value for money.
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§ Mr. Edwin Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce proposals for the standardisation of vehicles used by private sector operators following his proposed legislation on public transport subsidies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreI am not clear what purpose such standardisation could serve. All existing safety standards would be maintained under new legislation.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to ensure that a condition of tender for the provision of passenger transport services relative to his legislation on transport subsidies will be that operating companies use vehicles of British design and manufacture for public transport services they propose to introduce.
§ Mr. EyreThe choice of vehicles must be a matter for the operators themselves, but I note with pleasure that experience shows that the great majority of our operators believe that British is best.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the increases in fares resulting from his proposed legislation on public transport subsidies, including pressures for higher wage settlements and the present rate of inflation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreThe setting of fare levels is a matter for individual transport authorities and I would expect them, in taking steps to keep revenue support under control, to look very carefully for ways in which this can be achieved through reducing costs rather than increasing fares. I would further remind the right hon. Gentleman that reductions in rates and taxes also have implications for the level of inflation.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider making special provision far unemployed and low income groups who will be adversely affected as a result of his legislation on public transport subsidies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EyreAn object of the proposed legislation is to remove the threat to jobs which would otherwise be lost as a result of excessive rate and tax increases.
§ Mr. Harold Walkerasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals for grants or loans 10 assist private operators of public passenger transport.
§ Mr. EyreBoth private and public sector operators of local bus services are already eligible for new bus grant, fuel duty rebate, and local authority revenue support. We have no plans for additional grants or loans.
§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had any representations from manufacturers of public transport vehicles on the effects that his proposed legislation on transport subsidies will have on their order books; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the effect on the bus manufacturing industry following the privatisation of transport services and the reductions in transport subsidies proposed in the Transport Bill.
§ Mr. EyreMy right hon. Friend has had one such representation. I believe that the provision which the Bill makes for the long-term stability of transport in our cities 469W is in the interests of the manufacturers, as it is in the interest of those who use, run and finance, public transport services.