Labour's clause au
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BOTH SIDES of the House Commons questioned 1 Transport Bill's competiti clauses this week, but Opposition motion to rest] express coaches was defea by 194 votes to 151.
Opposition transpi spokesman Albert Booth, w described the Bill as an "i happy mess," said the Lab( motion would prevent an press coach or contract c riage from running on a route served by public serv vehicles operating under rc service licensing.
Earlier, he said that th. should be safeguards agai private concerns creaming more profitable sections of 1 routes. He said the Traf Commissioners should hay greater say in which operat were allowed.
lain Mills (Conservat. Meriden) said that comp( tion would give the publii better service. But fellow Ti Peter Fry (Wellingboroul warned of the danger of I by-night operators.
Sidney Bidwell (Labo Southall) said the Transp and General Workers Un feared that there would be anarchic situation, and it up to the Minister to al these fears.
A warning that, in tir rural transport would be n existent came from Ha Cowans (Labour, Newca. Central). Everything in garden would be rosy fo short period, but operat would kill off services, m4 Out, and what would fill gap?
Transport Minister Norn Fowler said the Governmei concern for local bus netwo was central to its proposalE was certainly no part of plan to destroy them, and t was why the licensing for lc services had been retain There was no reason u either express or contract vices should be a challenge Deregulation of express vices was totally in the ini ests of the public. 1 Government hoped that r operators would come forw and provide low cost transp for the public.