§ Mr. Allenasked the Secretary of State for Transport on how many occasions he has issued a dispensation to local authority councillors to speak and vote on matters concerning local authority transport companies; for which local authorities these dispensations were authorised; and if he will itemise in each case the length of time from application to authorisation.
§ Mr. David MitchellDispensations have been given by the Secretary of State (under section 74(4) and (5) of the Transport Act 1985) on four occasions to local authority councillors who were also directors of the public transport company controlled by their authority, to discuss and vote on certain matters concerning the company. The details are as follows:
Authorities given dispensations Number of working days between application being made and issue of dispensation Stockton on Tees Borough Council 136 Langbaurgh Borough Council Middlesbrough Borough Council Portsmouth City Council 3 Portsmouth City Council 4 Nottingham City Council 4 1 Joint application.