§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of existing bus services in Scotland have been registered to operate after 26th October 1986 under the Transport Act 1985; and if he will give the respective figure for each region.
§ Mr. AncramFigures for the whole of Scotland are not available. In the study areas of Strathclyde, Lothian and Dumfries and Galloway, the comparative figures for bus departures on weekday timetables, which provide the best available measure at present of changes in the services operated, are as follows:
November 1985 October 1986 Percentage increase Strathclyde 8,570 9,906 16 Lothian 2,607 2,915 9 Dumfries and Galloway 466 494 6 The figures for Dumfries and Galloway include tendered services. The figures for Strathclyde and Lothian are for commercial registrations only.
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§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will call for a report from the Chief Constable of Strathclyde about the problems for traffic control caused by the number of buses operating in Glasgow city centre.
§ Mr. AncramNo. Section 7 of the Transport Act 1985 enables a traffic authority, in this case Strathclyde regional council, to ask the traffic commissioner to determine traffic regulation conditions to deal with congestion problems. I understand that Strathclyde regional council is already discussing this question with other interested parties.
§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many new operators have applied to run bus services in Scotland as a result of the Transport Act 1985.
§ Mr. Ancram83 new operator licences have been granted in the Scottish traffic area to operators who have not previously held road service licences. This figure will almost certainly increase as figures for operators of tendered services become available.