§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies his Department has made of bus companies franchising their routes.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Departmnt has not undertaken any studies of bus companies franchising their routes. However, bus route tendering in London has provided valuable experience for bus operators and the Department in preparation for the deregulation of the London bus market. We are now ready to bring the benefits of deregulation to London's bus passengers, and hope to deposit a Bill to that end at an early opportunity in the new Parliament.