§ Mr. Staintonasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of his various experiments in relation to road transport as outlined in the last debate on this subject in the House.
§ Mr. William RodgersI am assuming that the hon. Gentleman is referring to the Government-sponsored rural transport experiments.
Surveys of people's existing travel habits are now under way in all four 671W areas. Detailed arrangements for each of the 16 experiments are being finalised in consultation with local interests by the four working groups; but the starting date of 11 of these is dependent on the enactment of the Passenger Vehicles (Experimental Areas) Bill.
I understand from my right hon. and learned Friend that the postbus in the Welsh area, one of the experiments that do not require the Bill, will begin operating on 18th July.