HC Deb 17 June 1994 vol 244 cc668-9W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the organisations eligible to apply for small bus permits.

Mr. Key

An application for a small bus permit may be made by any body concerned with education, religion, recreation or social welfare or other activities of benefit to the community, provided that the use of a vehicle under a permit meets the requirements of section 19 of the Transport Act 1985. The Secretary of State has designated certain bodies to grant permits to themselves or their local organisations and these are listed in SI 1987 No. 1229—the section 19 Minibus (Designated Bodies) Order 1987—and the amendment to that order, SI 1990 No. 1708.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many small bus permits were issued in each of the last five years.

Mr. Key

The number of small bus permits issued in each of the last five years is given in the table:

Year Number of permits
1989 4,800
1990 6,230
1991 7,275
1992 5,780
1993 4,775