§ Lord Sefton of Garstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any decision on an employee buyout of Greater Manchester Buses will be decided on its merits.
The Earl of CaithnessWe have issued a direction to the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority requiring them to submit a plan to us to divide the bus business of Greater Manchester Buses Ltd. (GMB) into at least two parts. The Secretary of State's consent would be required to any sale by the PTA of any of the new companies to be formed from GMB. He will consider on its merits any request he receives from the PTA, though he is not disposed to consent to sale by single tender, whether to employees or to any other purchaser. Constructive discussions with the PTA are currently taking place.