HL Deb 10 February 1994 vol 551 cc134-5WA
Baroness Hamwee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What consultations were carried out with the lead borough for the London Boroughs Transport Scheme or the Lorry Control Unit to verify the assertion in the explanatory and financial memorandum to the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill that "the removal of the permit scheme for heavy lorries in London should result in a reduction of manpower and so lead to savings in annual contributions to the London Boroughs Transport Committee".

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknish)

The Government have access to the projected budget of the London Boroughs Transport Scheme for 1994–95. Based on this information, and informal discussions with the London Borough Transport Committee before publication of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Bill, estimates were made of the manpower reductions and cost savings that could be made as a result of removing the permit system.