Member

The Government and I expect close working with mayors and other local authorities to provide services that meet local needs. We are already having materially useful discussions with combined authority mayors, particularly in Manchester and the West Midlands. The proposals by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, which were referred to, are progressing very satisfactorily. These would allow the mayor to specify the characteristics of eight services within the Greater Manchester Combined Authority area, including services, fares and other characteristics, without owning and operating the service. He is not seeking ownership of the services but, quite reasonably, an influence on their provision for the economic benefit of the combined authority area. Nothing in the Bill will prevent that happening, either in Manchester or elsewhere, and I hope that gives the noble Baroness, Lady Randerson, some assurance that, first, I know the detail, and, secondly, it will continue to be available, both there and elsewhere.