HC Deb 08 November 1995 vol 265 c897W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will list those former municipal bus companies whose sale to the private sector was allowed only under covenants(a) preventing asset stripping, (b) protecting the work force's employment terms and conditions and (c) preserving minimum service levels; [42170]

(2) what factors he considers in deciding whether or not to give consent to the sale of a 50 per cent. stake in a jointly owned municipal bus company where one local authority wants to sell and the other does not; [42168]

(3) what is his policy in respect of sales of a municipal bus company where the sale offer is made to a restricted number of carefully selected potential purchasers; [42172]

(4) to what extent the pension rights of persons formerly employed by municipal bus companies have been affected following the purchase of the company by (a) a private operator and (b) the management and employees themselves; [42171]

(5) what discussions, meetings or contact he has had with Price Waterhouse Corporate Finance concerning the proposed sale by Pendle council of its stake in Burnley and Pendle Buses. [42173]

Mr. Norris

I will write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my letter in the Library.