§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy concerning municipal bus company privatisation.
§ Mr. FreemanWe are encouraging passenger transport authorities and local authorities who own bus companies to sell them voluntarily. If they do so before 31 December 1993 they will be able to devote 100 per cent. of the receipts to projects—after that date 50 per cent of the proceeds will have to be used for the reduction of debt. We intend to introduce legislation to require disposal. Each sale requires the consent of the Secretary of State under the Transport Act 1985. Consent is very unlikely to be given to sales other than by competitive tender except when it was given in principle before 1992.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he proposes with the employees of municipal bus companies prior to a decision to seek privatised status in accordance with the Transport Act 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanNone. This is a matter for the owning authorities.
§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many municipal bus companies there are in(a) Wales and (b) England; and what is his estimate of the number of employees engaged in such companies.
§ Mr. FreemanThere are three local authority owned bus companies remaining in Wales and 30 in England. I have no information about the numbers of employees engaged in these companies.