HC Deb 18 July 1979 vol 970 cc751-2W
52. Mr. Stoddart

asked the Minister of Transport if he will investigate with urban public transport authorities and the electric traction industry the feasibility and desirability of the use of trolleybuses for stage carriage passenger transport services.

Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The transport and road research laboratory is looking at the possibilities for developing electric vehicles. But, as the hon. Member will see from the copy I am sending him of a recent report it published, a battery trolleybus system would use more primary energy than the diesel bus, have a higher capital cost and offer no saving in running costs.