The Earl of Effingham (Con)

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his response, but I cannot hide the fact that we are disappointed. The former Secretary of State for Transport in the other place, Louise Haigh, stated: “Reliable, affordable and regular buses are the difference between opportunity and isolation for millions of people across the country”. She went on to pledge that a Labour Government would empower every community “to take back control of their bus services, and … support local leaders to deliver better buses, faster”. Action speaks louder than words and we must see follow- up. That is why we must ensure that the Bill lives up to the expectations of those who rely on bus services every single day. Promises will do little to help the millions who depend on reliable transport. They need tangible improvements and accountability to be enshrined in this legislation. I believe that placing this explicit duty on the Secretary of State would provide a valuable guiding principle throughout the Bill’s implementation. It would ensure that every step taken under the Bill would be aligned with the objective of improving bus services for all those who rely on them. I remind all noble Lords that paragraph 1 of the Government’s Explanatory Notes for this Bill states: “The Bus Services … Bill brings forward primary legislative measures intended to support the government’s commitment to deliver better buses”. Please may I ask: what better way is there to show commitment to passengers than by committing to this amendment? If the Government do not feel that this purpose clause is necessary for the Bill, can the Minister please explain how they will make clear their wholesale commitment to passengers across the board? On that note, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment standing in my name.