Bus Deregulation, London

HC Deb 02 June 1992 vol 208 c523W

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to deregulate buses in London; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Norris

The Government remain firmly committed to the deregulation of the London bus market. We believe that deregulation has been a significant success in the rest of the country, producing a 19 per cent. increase in route miles and a one third reduction in operating costs. We want to see these benefits extended to bus users in London, too. We remain convinced that Londoners will benefit from having the key decisions on bus services taken by operators, who are close to the local market and whose survival depends on meeting their customers' needs. We shall be introducing the necessary legislation as soon as possible.