Clause 4 - Arrangements for discharge of transport functions
Transport (Wales) Bill
12:00 pm
Bill Wiggin ((Also Shadow Secretary of State for Wales), Environment, Food & Rural Affairs; Leominster, Conservative)
That is our purpose. The intention behind a joint transport authority is that the two or more individual parts are not as successful and there would be natural savings, efficiencies and so on. The amendment would deal with the question, “What if that does not happen?” I can envisage extra responsibilities easily being dumped on local authorities. In some instances they may find it easy to cope and there may not be a huge extra cost. However, in other areas of Wales the order may have a different implication. For example, if one was to insist on more bus transport in Cardiff the implication would be different from that for a much bigger area in rural Wales. That is my concern. If the Minister can convince me that it is superfluous, I shall not have any difficulties in withdrawing my amendment.