§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the possibility of collusion or monopoly power amongst the privatised bus companies due to concentration of market share.
Mr. HamiltonI have been asked to reply.
The Director General of Fair Trading has a general duty to keep the provision of bus services under review, and powers to act in relation to possible abuse of monopoly power or anti-competitive practices. Any evidence of abuse of market position should be referred to the director general.