§ Mr. Crouchasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will seek powers to channel support to British Railways for uneconomic rail services through the county councils with a view to involving counties in consideration of rail problems;
(2) what steps he is proposing to take to ensure a more thorough co-ordination of public transport by county councils;
(3) what steps he is taking to encourage county councils to give greater consideration to rail transport and, where appropriate, to ensure that unnecessary competition between rail and bus services is eliminated.
§ Mr. William RodgersMetropolitan county councils already have powers to integrate and develop passenger transport services by road and rail. Elsewhere, county councils have a statutory duty to develop policies to promote the provision of a co-ordinated and efficient system of public transport in consultation with bus operators and, as appropriate, the Railways Board. I am considering whether any changes in the present arrangements are needed.