§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to give greater commercial freedom to Ulsterbus and Citybus. [25725]
§ Sir John WheelerNone.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to improve the speed of response of his Department so as to meet the commercial needs of Ulsterbus and Citybus. [25726]
§ Sir John WheelerThe regulatory framework which governs the relationship between the Department of the Environment for Northern Ireland and the transport companies is kept under constant review to ensure its continued effectiveness.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland nif he will make a statement on the age and quality of the fleets of Ulsterbus and Citybus relative to deregulated services in Great Britain. [25727]
§ Sir John WheelerThe different methodology used in preparing such statistics in Northern Ireland and Great Britain makes comparison difficult. At March 1994 the 633W average age of the Ulsterbus fleet was just under eight years old and that of the Citybus fleet 8.75.
In Great Britain, at December 1993, 19 per cent. of the fleet was less than four years old, 27 per cent. between four and seven years old, 20 per cent. between eight and 11 years old, leaving 34 per cent. 12 years old or over. Information as to the respective quality is not available.