§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Transport what consideration she has given to the representations regarding her Department's proposals for conurbation transport authorities made 184W by the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleIn framing my detailed proposals for passenger transport authorities I am taking account of the representations which the Association has already made to me. I have also recently told them that I would be happy to meet their representatives, along with those of the other bus operator associations, if they so wished, to discuss any further views they may have on major points of policy.
§ Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Transport (1) what financial contributions are made annually to the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association by bus companies half or more than half controlled by the Transport Holding Company;
(2) whether she will give a direction to the Transport Holding Company requiring them to ensure withdrawal from the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association of bus companies half-owned or controlled by the Transport Holding Company, in view of that association's current actions against her proposals for conurbation transport authorities;
(3) whether she will give a direction to the Transport Holding Company that it shall prevent bus companies in which it has a controlling or half interest from participation or contribution of funds to the campaign against the proposed conurbation transport authorities by the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association.
§ Mrs. CastleNone of the bus companies wholly-owned by the Transport Holding Company and only one in which they have a half but not a controlling interest is a member of the Passenger Vehicle Operators Association. In the circumstances a direction would not be appropriate.