HC Deb 04 March 1976 vol 906 cc681-2W
Mr. Brotherton

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, in view of the forthcoming increase in rail fares and their likely impact on the commuter's budget, he will reconsider his policy towards the granting of licences by the Traffic Commissioners to private operators of bus services wishing to operate over scheduled routes.

Mr. Marks

The Traffic Commissioners are statutorily independent bodies and there is no question of the Secretary of State issuing directions about the granting or withholding of road service licences in accordance with a stated policy. The Commissioners consider all applications for licences on their merits, in the light of criteria to which they are required to have regard by the Road Traffic Act 1960. Factors such as changes in rail fares could be argued before the Commissioners.

Mr. Moonman

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if, following his previous discussions with the company, he will now give his approval to the new base wage rates for Eastern National (Basildon Depot) arising from conversion from two-man to one-man-only operations, details of which have been sent to him.

Mr. Marks

The pay rates for Eastern National (Basildon Depot), including the rates for one-man operators, conform to the approved national pay settlement operative from 29th February 1976 which gives a £6 per week non-enhanceable supplement to all grades. The savings bonuses arising from conversions to one-man operations paid to the Basildon Depot staff were in payment when the current pay policy was introduced on 1st August 1975, and there have been no new conversions affecting this depot since then. Adjustments of bonuses to take account of new rates of pay would constitute an enhancement of the £6 supplement and as such would be unacceptable.