§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales by how much he has increased spending on rural transport in real terms between 1998–99 and 1999–2000. [68356]
§ Mr. HainThe bus subsidy grant scheme will make £5 million available to local authorities in 1999–2000, of which £3 million must be spent on rural bus services and the remaining £2 million may be spent on either rural or urban services. In 1998–99 £2.25 million was made available exclusively for rural services. This means that direct support for rural bus services in 1999–2000 will increase by at least 30 per cent. in real terms, and probably significantly more than that.
558WIn future this will become the responsibility of the National Assembly.