§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will require bidders for bus companies to include in their bids their proposed policy on safety of women travellers.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNo. In addition to necessary company and financial details, bidders will be required to give information on their general employment policy, their proposals regarding the disabled and elderly, and a statement of their future intentions for the company. There are already strict safety requirements governing all bus operators in the interests of all bus travellers. Bus operators require an operator's licence and buses must be tested annually and are also subject to spot checks on the road. If sufficient services are not available commercially local authorities have powers to subsidise those services they consider socially necessary, including, for example, late evening or night services.