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AIX PASSENGER
Page 22
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Relaxation does not mean weakness-DT
THE PROPOSED relaxations in bus licensing laws will not weaken the quality control exercised through the licensing system This assurance was given in the Commons by Kenneth Clarke, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, who said it was the quantity side of the system which was too restrictive and out of date for modern requirements.
He noted that the Minister was preparing certain improvements in relation to future production of new vehicles on braking standards, emergency exits and strength of superstructures.
Richard Mitchell (Labour, Southampton Itchen) pointed out that a large number of coaches for public hire used in the evening and sometimes returned in the early hours of the morning were occasionally driven by people who had done a full day's work in another capacity. Was Mr Clarke satisfied that the safety regulations were adequate in that respect.
Mr Clarke accepted that this was a weakness in the driver's hours regulations. It was difficult to devise a workable system to cover the problem, but the Department was anxious to look at an Worthwhile suggestions to improve the matter.
Roger Moate (Tory, Faversham) wanted Mr Clarke to say that when he encouraged further competition in excursion, express and tour services he would bear in mind that more rigorous safety standards than applied at the moment were needed.
He urged Mr Clarke to give consideration to improving general safety standards for the protection of the public against sub-standard and badly maintained vehicles.
He was told that the details would have to await the publication of the Bill. But Mr Clarke gave an assurance that there was no proposal to weaken the requirements on operators.
They should be capable of maintaining their fleets in a proper condition. The inspection of vehicles to ensure that they were fit for public service would not be weakened.
When the Minister, Norman Fowler, was questioned about bus de-licensing, he was told by Leslie Spriggs (Labour, St Helens) that his proposals constituted a massive threat to the future of bus services in rural areas.