§ 45. Mr. Brewisasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent consideration he has given to the problem of rural bus services; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. YoungerI have drawn local authorities' attention to two recent studies into rural transport problems, carried out in England, which have suggested various ways in which they can help with these problems. As my hon. Friend will know, local authorities have power to support uneconomic bus services which might otherwise have to be withdrawn and can obtain generous Government assistance towards this. I am glad to say that local authorities in most rural parts of Scotland now recognise the valuable rôle they can play in this.