Passenger News Part-time laws stay
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OPPOSITION transport spokesman Robert Hughes tried to regulate the hours worked by part-time bus drivers this week, when the Transport Bill was debated by the House of Commons.
He said there was nothing to stop a foundry worker from completing his normal day's business — or an MP from finishing an all-night sitting — and then driving a coach full of people for the full amount of hours allowed by a full-time driver.
He was opposed by David Penhaligon (Liberal, Truro) who said it would cause problems for transport in rural areas, and Junior Transport Minister Lynda Chalker.
She said she fully accepted the importance of greater safety but did not believe the clause would achieve that. There was no evidence that part-time drivers were any less safe than full-time drivers, while many small bus and coach operators needed the flexibility of the part-timer. The clause was defeated by 290 votes to 211.
Equally unsuccessful were Labour attempts to stop the National Bus Company being allowed to sell off some of its assets to private concerns. Mr Hughes said the Government was looking for "goodies" to share out and was determined that its friends would get anything going in which there might be a profit.
Mrs Chalker said the powers in the clause were reserved powers. The Government felt the NBC should develop its commercial opportunities. The amendment was defeated by 281 votes to 203.