Member

I note that the Minister argued against new clause 22 in Committee, on the basis that he believes that the legislation to guarantee minimum levels of service for communities already exists in the Transport Act 2000. I gently say to him that, having reviewed that legislation with a little support from the superb staff at the Commons Library, I have not been able to identify any such powers. I am more than happy to accept that I may well be wrong on that point, Madam Deputy Speaker, but suffice it to say that Transport Act 2000 or no, the communities I represent in North East Hertfordshire are not yet enjoying bus services remotely comparable to those delivered to guaranteed standards in Switzerland, Germany and elsewhere.