§ Mr. Moateasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement about the future of a new bus grant.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Government's strategy of stabilising public expenditure means that support to transport from public funds must be limited. The last Government announced their intention to phase out new bus grant after the present powers expire in 1980. As the Government's response published today to the eighth report from the Select Committee on nationalised industries on "Innovations in Rural Bus Services" makes clear, we see no reason to dissent from that general conclusion. The grant will therefore be phased out in stages by 31 March 1984. This will allow those concerned time to adjust. My Department will be consulting the industry about the details of these arrangements.