HC Deb 08 May 1989 vol 152 cc335-6W
Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which local authority bus groups public limited companies are still under the ownership of the regional councils in Scotland.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 2 May 1989]: The bus companies concerned are Tayside Public Transport Company Ltd, Strathclyde Buses Ltd and Lothian Region Transport plc.

Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to require local authority bus public limited companies to introduce schemes to encourage the privatisation of their respective companies.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 2 May 1989]: The Government wish to encourage local authorities to privatise their bus companies. The possibility of seeking statutory powers to require them to do so has not been ruled out.

Mr. Bill Walker

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give assistance to the employees and management of the Tayside bus groups in its scheme to privatise the groups, along the lines of that provided to the Scottish bus groups.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 2 May 1989]: The arrangements for any proposed sale of Tayside Public Transport Company Ltd are a matter for Tayside regional council. My right hon. and learned Friend's responsibility is limited to approving any such sale.