§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales what measures have been taken to ensure the future of non-profit-making bus routes in rural Wales after deregulation.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsSection 63 of the Transport Act 1985 places a duty on county councils to secure any public passenger transport service within their areas which they consider appropriate and which would not otherwise he available. It also empowers district councils to take538W similar action. Section 108 of the Act provides for the introduction of a rural transport innovation grant, and £100,000 has been allocated to this grant scheme in Wales in 1986–87. Section 109 of the Act makes provision for a transitional rural bus grant to assist rural bus services during the changeover to the new system. £50 million will be made available in Great Britain over a four-year period from 1 April 1986.