HC Deb 17 March 1986 vol 94 cc17-8W
12. Mr. Watts

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present timetable for the disposal of each of the National Bus Company subsidiaries; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

The Transport Act 1985 requires the National Bus Company to dispose of all its operations by January 1989. The company will be advertising these for sale, and I hope that it can achieve substantial privatisation during this year, preferably by management or employee buy-outs of local subsidiaries.

20. Mr. Haynes

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what impact he expects the sale of the National Bus Company to have on rural bus services.

Mr. David Mitchell

The sale of NBC will be in line with the Government's policy of promoting competition in the bus industry. I believe this will be of benefit to all bus services, including those in rural areas.

32. Mr. Dixon

askd the Secretary of State for Transport, what changes to bus services he expects from the sale of the National Bus Company.

11 Mr. David Mitchell

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Davies) on 6 March.

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