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Govt. 'no' to higher grants
Page 58
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II There was no prospect of increasing the direct Government contribution towards rural bus services grants above 50 per cent, said Mr Peter Thomas, the Welsh Secretary in the Commons this week.
He was replying to Mr Elystan Morgan (Labour, Cardigan), who had asked the Government to pay a larger share because, he said, the allocation laid down under the 1968 Transport Act was realistic then but was not realistic now.
Mr Thomas replied that this was a very complicated matter which involved the finances of the National Bus Company and its ability to pay its way and the decision of that company to ask local authorities to give assistance to rural buses.
Sir Anthony Meyer (Tory, West Flint) argued that the policy of ever-increasing subsidies from central Government for rural bus services could at best be only an interim solution. A long-term solution had to be found by a greater and more flexible use of private transport in rural areas accompanied by tax concessions and the easing of regulations.
These were matters that had to be considered, agreed Mr Thomas. "Happily this is a period in which we can get down to details and consider the future very carefully. Steps are afoot for that to be done," he added.