Jack Report—Still No Action
Page 36
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
From our Political Correspondent
MR. MARPLES' comment that he is not yet ready to pronounce on the "difficult matter" of rural bus services seems to rule out, for the time-being at least, Government action on the recommendations of the Jack Committee.
This committee reported last March that county councils and the Exchequer should provide financial aid to services which need outside help to maintain themselves at present or recent levels. The cost was expected to be about £1,000,00C a year initially, rising slightly later.
Ninety-nine M.P.s from both sides of the Commons supported a motion calling for special action to prevent hardship in and further depopulation of rural areas because of inadequate public transport The official end of the session on October 24 wiped out this motion, but the M.P.s led by Mr. Rupert Speir (C. Hexham) can be expected to resume the offensive in the new session.
Mr. Marples, however, has so man5 things on his plate just now that he wil be very fully occupied until Christmas, a least.