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Business of the House

Would my right hon. Friend arrange for an early debate on the state of our bus services in metropolitan areas? It would give me the opportunity to express the real anger in Sheffield at Firstbus's decision to increase fares again, some by more than 15 per cent. It is the fourth fare increase in 12 months. It is not surprising that passenger numbers are 30 per cent. down on what they were 10 years ago. Surely we need a change to the non-regulatory framework, which has seen continual cuts in services, regular fare increases and a regular and consistent fall in passenger numbers.