Clause 13
Local Transport Bill [Lords]
1:15 pm
Ann Winterton (Congleton, Conservative)
I agree with my hon. Friends the Members for Eccles, for Bristol, East and for Sheffield, Attercliffe that the amendment illustrates how out of touch Conservative Front Benchers are on the issue. As my hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Attercliffe so rightly pointed out, many of our constituents want us to take action to improve bus services. The hon. Member for Wimbledon may say that the amendment is simply probing, but it reflects the view of Conservative Front Benchers on Second Reading, where it was said that these are controversial provisions and that Conservative Members had
“yet to hear from the Minister exactly what can be achieved using a statutory arrangement that cannot be delivered using the voluntary arrangements that already have a proven track record in many areas of the country.”—[Official Report, 26 March 2008; Vol. 474, c. 206.]
There are some places where voluntary arrangements have worked, but there are too many places where they have not. We therefore need to bring in statutory quality partnerships if we are to respond properly to what local authorities have told us.