§ Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will report on the recent visit to Midland Fox bus headquarters, Leicester by the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Hampshire, North-West (Mr. Mitchell).
§ Mr. David MitchellI took advantage of a visit to the East Midlands on 29 October to call on the Midland Fox bus company in Leicester. I discussed with the management their experience of the first days of bus deregulation, the introduction of Foxcub minibuses,256W which has resulted in a substantial increase in patronage; and the development of competition with local bus operators, including other subsidiaries of the National Bus Company. I also visited the company's minibus depot and saw Leicester's modern bus station. I was most encouraged by what I saw and heard, which shows that after an initial hiatus the deregulation is likely to produce better services for bus passengers in many parts of the country.