HC Deb 18 March 1985 vol 75 c368W
10. Mr. Ron Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether his view of the bus industry has changed following the publication of the Transport Committee report on financing public transport.

Mr. Ridley

The Select Committee report acknowledged the serious state of the bus industry and suggested as an alternative policy competitive tendering for all services. This is a much more restrictive system even than the present one; and will not secure the gains in productivity, and—more important—the concentration on the needs of the passenger, which deregulation will provide.

We will reply to the report as soon as possible.