HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 c291W
Mr. Grocott

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what evidence he has received on the effect of the Transport Act 1985 on bus services in rural areas.

Mr. Portillo

Studies conducted for the Department's transport and road research laboratory indicated that the level of bus services in rural areas was broadly maintained following deregulation. In the English shire counties bus mileage increased by 18 per cent. between 1985–86 and 1987–88.