§ Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what was the 712W subsidy given to the National Bus Company each year since its creation; and if he has any provisional figures for 1975.
§ Dr. GilbertThe National Bus Company has been in receipt of new bus grant and fuel duty rebate as follows:
New bus grant Fuel duty rebate £m. £m. 1968–69 0.5 1.8 1969–70 2.3 7.3 1970–71 1.9 7.9 1971–72 3.8 7.6 1972–73 5.7 7.1 1973–74 6.1 6.8 1974–75 7.9 12.8 The provisional figures to date for 1975–76 are £5.6 million for new bus grant and £8.71 million for fuel duty rebate. Under the Transport (Grants) Act 1972 the Government paid the company, in March 1972, a special grant of £7 million. In addition, the company has received small amounts of infrastructure grant from Government over the period. It has also received support from local authorities for loss-making services.