§ Mr. Franksasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he is satisfied with the progress being made by the National Bus Company in the implementation of its disposal programme.
§ Mr. David MitchellI am impressed by the progress made by the National Bus Company in the implementation of its disposal programme, as shown by the company's annual report and accounts published today. Already some 50 subsidiaries have been sold, and there is an encouraging level of interest in the remainder. I congratulate Mr. Lund, chairman of NBC, and his colleagues.
To facilitate the remaining sales, I have modified NBC's disposal programme to enable it to offer for sale two or more bus operating subsidiaries together. This modification, made at NBC's request, will not affect NBC's statutory duty to promote fair and sustained competition in disposing of its subsidiaries, but will give NBC more flexibility in fulfilling this duty. All sales will remain subject to the consent of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. I have placed a copy of the amendment in the Library of the House. I have also laid before the House a revocation of two directions given to NBC on 13 203W February and 7 April 1986, in relation to the preparation of its disposal programme. The directions had ceased to have effect once the programme was approved.