§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the result of investigations by his Department on the new bus grant and fuel duty rebate given to Mid-Warwickshire Motors Ltd.
§ Mr. EyreMy Department's investigations confirmed that there were inadequacies in the mileage records kept by Mid-Warwickshire Motors Ltd. These were discussed with the company and several further versions were produced. On 27 January 1983, the company finally produced figures that I felt able to accept as representing the actual position, insofar as it could by then be ascertained. As a result, notwithstanding certain shortcomings both in the use of the vehicles concerned and in the purchase arrangements, I decided not to take proceedings for the recovery of grant. The Department's claim for repayment of £111,293.20 new bus grant has been withdrawn, and fuel duty rebate totalling £22,069.72 has been released.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will bring forward the date of hearing of the current appeal made by Mr. Day of Mid-Warwickshire 464W Motors Gimtool Ltd. against the refusal by the traffic commissioners of a public service vehicle operators licence to his Midlands bus company as soon as possible.
§ Mr. EyreI can assure my hon. Friend that Mr. Day's appeal, like any other, will be dealt with as speedily as the necessary steps and procedures allow.
§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the reasons why his Department investigated the mileage records of Mid-Warwickshire Motors Ltd.
§ Mr. EyreMy Department investigated the mileage records of Mid-Warwickshire Motors Ltd. in the light of a report from the district auditor. Doubts were raised as to the adequacy of the company's mileage records, and as to whether certain vehicles on which new bus grant had been paid had been used in accordance with the grant conditions.