Private plans hit
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AN ATTACK on possible moves to let private enterprise run parts of Lothian Regional Council's transport department has come from trade unions and Labour councillors.
The statement said that the Labour group and unions are "convinced there is no case for the privatisation of any part of the transport undertaking and resolve jointly to defend the interests of the public in Lothian and combat any move to hand over any section of the transport The performance review committee is looking at the authority's internal transport executive, school transport, and catering in the public transport department. The opponents believe that any privatisation would mean higher costs, poorer performance and job losses.
Labour's transport spokesman, Councillor James Cook said: "We shall resist and call on the public in Lothian to oppose with vigour all the assetstripping elements raised by the performance review committee."
However, Councillor David Gorrid, chairman of the committee, said it was "premature" to talk about privatisation. Meanwhile the performance review committee has decided to study central purchasing and possibly maintenance of council buildings.