§ Mr. FishburnTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made towards implementation of the recommendations contained in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report of June 1989 on the bus services in Northern Ireland provided by Ulsterbus Ltd. and Citybus Ltd.; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe initial response announced to the House on 24 April 1990 indicated that there had been a positive reaction to the recommendations, none of which was rejected. The follow-up response, which I have today placed in the Library of the House, confirms that 32 of the 58 recommendations have already been implemented and the remaining 26 are in the process of implementation. The response was produced in consultation with the Northern Ireland Transport holding company and the bus companies.
I am pleased to report that, among the more important developments, a new market-led approach with emphasis on customers' needs is now firmly established; capital expenditure on all major projects is subject to investment appraisal and post-completion audit; and a new unit, under an inspector general, ensures that quality of service is accorded high priority.
The Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland will keep the implementation of the recommendations under periodic review to gauge the improvement in bus services and management of the companies. I will report the progress to the House in due course.