Rural Bus Services: "Penal Taxation
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ABOUR M.P.s last week laid the blame for the decline in rural bus services on Government policies over the past ten years. Led by road transport expert Mr. Frank McLeavy (Bradford East), they put down an amendment to M'r. Rupert Speie's Commons' motion on country buses, saying that the continuing reduction in the services is "due to the penal taxation upon fuel oil and the failure of successive Governments since 1951 to give substantial relief."
Mr. Speir received loud support when he pressed for a debate on his motion before Parliament rises for the recess at 'the beginning of August.
Widespread Support
"The motion has received widespread support from Members on both sides of the House, and reflects the growing anxiety in the countryside at the continuing deterioration of public transport facilities," he told Mr. R. A. Butler, the Home Secretary and Leader of the House.
He had noticed the motion, replied Mr. Butler, but in view of the amount of business there was to get through he could not give any undertaking that there would be time for a debate. •
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