§ Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to encourage national bus companies to serve Rotherham. [3891]
§ Mr. WattsThe Government are working with bus operators and local authorities on a national basis to encourage the development of bus services and promote their use. However, the provision of services in Rotherham, as elsewhere, is primarily a matter for the commercial judgment of bus operators and for the local authority, which has power to subsidise socially necessary services which are not being provided commercially.