Clause 57
Local Transport Bill [Lords]
6:00 pm
Stephen Hammond (Shadow Minister, Transport; Wimbledon, Conservative)
I am not sure whether I agree with the Minister’s contention that the amendments would weaken the existing powers. I accept the possible need for an arrangement for holding companies or subsidiary companies, so that licences could not be switched from one company to another, as that would clearly not be right. I am still not convinced that she has addressed the point about the traffic commissioner’s greatly increased powers under the clause. The powers could give the traffic commissioner the ability to impose conditions on the licences of operators that are related, although not through a holding company arrangement. I may wish to consider the matter again on Report, and I beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment.