§ Mr. Dodsworthasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will include the south-west Hertfordshire area in one of his experimental schemes to find alternative means of operating rural transport systems within the public service vehicle licensing code;
(2) when he expects to introduce his Bill providing for modest relaxation of public service vehicle licensing for a limited period within certain selected areas of the country;
(3) if he is yet able to designate the areas in which he intends to promote experimental projects in public service vehicle licensing; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MarksMy hon. Friend the Minister for Transport explained in his statement of 3rd December 1975—[Vol. 901, c. 613–4]—in answer to the hon. Member for Rye (Mr. Godman Irvine), that the Bill will be introduced when an opportunity presents itself. Areas cannot be designated for the testing of the effects of relaxation unless and until Parliament 305W enacts the necessary provision. The selection of areas, including those where experiments are to be undertaken within the existing licensing code, will be a matter for the Steering Committee. I shall bring to the attention of the Steering Committee the hon. Member's advocacy of the claims of South-West Hertfordshire to be selected.