§ 33. Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from local authorities covering rural areas about the implications of his White Paper on buses.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have received about 250 representations from non-metropolitan counties and district councils on the White Paper and the consultation documents which my Department subsequently issued. The representations are varied in their content and are being taken into account in the drafting of proposals to lay before Parliament.
§ 36. Mr. Boyesasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many responses he has received to he White Paper, "Buses", Cmnd. 9300, and the related consultation papers; what percentage has been favourable and what percentage unfavourable; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellI refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Snape) earlier today.
§ 39. Mr. David Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he proposes to introduce legislation to introduce competition into municipal bus operators.
§ Mr. RidleyWe will be bringing forward a Bill later this Session to allow competition in local bus services including services operated by municipal bus undertakings.
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§ Mr. Cowansasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many replies he has received to his consultation document on the deregulation of bus services; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have received some 3,000 responses to the White Paper and the consultation documents which my Department issued subsequently. We are studying those representations as part of the preparation of the forthcoming Bill.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Transport what provisions he will be making to assess regularity of bus services, increases in fare levels on rural routes, maintenance of safety standards and competitiveness of different bus companies in the event of deregulation.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe transport and road research laboratory will be studying the developments following deregulation and the other changes envisaged in Cmnd. 9300, as it has other major developments including those that followed the Transport Act 1980. The licensing authorities will continue to be responsible for the maintenance of safety standards, and will have new powers of oversight over the quality of service provided by bus operators.
§ 16. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Transport by how much he expects work loads to increase upon those regulating safety standards for buses following the implementation of his proposals in the White Paper, "Buses".
§ Mr. David MitchellI am determined that safety standards will be maintained and we are committed to providing the additional resources as necessary.
§ 17. Mr. Garrettasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with safety standards in the trial areas for buses.
§ Mr. David MitchellYes. Experience in the trial areas has shown that safety standards in a competitive and deregulated environment can be maintained through the operator licensing system.
§ 21. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek to ensure that the present level of concessions operating throughout the country will be retained if the proposals in the Government's White Paper on buses are implemented.
§ Mr. David MitchellIt is for individual local authorities to decide what provision to make for concessionary fares in their area. This would remain unchanged under the proposals in the White Paper, except that a local authority would be required to make available for all local bus services the concessions it provides.
§ 24. Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from Merseyside county council regarding his recent White Paper, "Buses", Cmnd. 9300.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have received a copy of the county council's detailed report responding to the White Paper and the associated consultation papers.