HC Deb 11 November 1970 vol 806 c178W
77. Mr. Brocklebank-Fowler

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will seek powers to encourage the establishment of private mini-bus services in those rural areas where the existing public services are inadequate.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

These services can already be provided under present legislation and, should they not pay their way, can receive the encouragement of a grant to which both central and local government contribute. I hope that the pilot studies of rural transport now under way in Devon and West Suffolk will yield more information about the scope for such services.