§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the bus transport undertakings taken over by Stagecoach Ltd. under the deregulation provisions; if he will list all bus services they have subsequently terminated; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThere is no requirement on the bus industry to notify the Department of Transport of takeovers. The latest published information on undertakings held by Stagecoach Ltd. is contained in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report into the acquisition of Portsmouth Citybus Ltd. The termination or commencement of bus services is primarily a matter for the industry and the information requested could he provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies have been undertaken on mergers and transfers of bus undertakings since the deregulation provisions took effect; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Transport and Road Research Laboratory is currently undertaking a study into the structure of the bus industry. This will include a general review of mergers and transfers of bus undertakings. The 67W Monopolies and Mergers Commission has reported to the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on a number of specific mergers.