§ Dr. Richard TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to increase the level of local bus services that are not profitable for bus operators. [88843]
§ Mr. JamiesonDecisions on subsidy for local bus services that are not provided on a commercial basis are for individual local authorities, taking account of local priorities and the resources available to them in Revenue support grant and, for example, from my Department's rural bus subsidy grant scheme. I am aware there have been a number of commercial services withdrawn recently in Worcestershire and that the county council has taken action to replace a number of these with subsidised services.