Perhaps I may clarify something about the comparison with the railways. The two franchises that have failed since the process started were GNER and Connex. The quality of service in Connex was reported as being variable, GNER’s was and is pretty good, but they both failed for financial reasons. Interestingly,...

Perhaps I may clarify something about the comparison with the railways. The two franchises that have failed since the process started were GNER and Connex. The quality of service in Connex was reported as being variable, GNER’s was and is pretty good, but they both failed for financial reasons. Interestingly,...

My noble friend has made a very reasonable request. Having looked at Clause 54 again, it seems rather surprising that there is no requirement to send a copy of a report on bus performance to the authority that is responsible for local transport policy. I am happy to reflect on...

My noble friend has made a very reasonable request. Having looked at Clause 54 again, it seems rather surprising that there is no requirement to send a copy of a report on bus performance to the authority that is responsible for local transport policy. I am happy to reflect on...

This amendment focuses on membership of an integrated transport authority. I understand the sensitivities around these issues. We have had this debate in local government many times as to whether it is right and appropriate to have independent, non-elected members, who should appoint them, what their powers, terms and conditions...

This amendment focuses on membership of an integrated transport authority. I understand the sensitivities around these issues. We have had this debate in local government many times as to whether it is right and appropriate to have independent, non-elected members, who should appoint them, what their powers, terms and conditions...

moved Amendment No. 79: 79: Clause 72, page 62, line 31, after ““councils”” insert ““from among their elected members”” The noble Lord said: I think that the Minister referred to the next amendment; I presume that this was the one to which he referred. The Bill provides for unelected members...

moved Amendment No. 79: 79: Clause 72, page 62, line 31, after ““councils”” insert ““from among their elected members”” The noble Lord said: I think that the Minister referred to the next amendment; I presume that this was the one to which he referred. The Bill provides for unelected members...

I am grateful to the noble Lord. I do not in any way wish to rerun the arguments that we had during the passage of the Local Government Act 2000 or the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, but the noble Lord will be aware that here,...

I am grateful to the noble Lord. I do not in any way wish to rerun the arguments that we had during the passage of the Local Government Act 2000 or the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, but the noble Lord will be aware that here,...

I think that the answer has to be ““yes””. I do not think that there can be a different status of member if you have an ITA. That would be wrong. Where the order for a particular ITA area provided for the ITA’s membership to include one or more non-elected...

I think that the answer has to be ““yes””. I do not think that there can be a different status of member if you have an ITA. That would be wrong. Where the order for a particular ITA area provided for the ITA’s membership to include one or more non-elected...

We come to that issue in the next amendment, and I shall be happy to deal with it there. I know that the noble Lord is somewhat concerned, perhaps even slightly obsessed, with road pricing. He made a point about road pricing being instituted by the ITA without local authority...

We come to that issue in the next amendment, and I shall be happy to deal with it there. I know that the noble Lord is somewhat concerned, perhaps even slightly obsessed, with road pricing. He made a point about road pricing being instituted by the ITA without local authority...

I thought I had made it plain at the outset that the issue is one of ensuring that we have flexibility of approach. We want to try to develop governance arrangements in the locality that work for the locality. That is the most important objective. I understand what the noble...

I thought I had made it plain at the outset that the issue is one of ensuring that we have flexibility of approach. We want to try to develop governance arrangements in the locality that work for the locality. That is the most important objective. I understand what the noble...

I understand the strength of view of the noble Baroness on this. As I was reading the note, I reflected that it could be controversial for some. The benefit is that it provides a model in which you get clearer lines of leadership, which is important. I am sure that...

I understand the strength of view of the noble Baroness on this. As I was reading the note, I reflected that it could be controversial for some. The benefit is that it provides a model in which you get clearer lines of leadership, which is important. I am sure that...

I shall also speak to the Question whether Clause 71 should stand part of the Bill. The clauses will allow the Secretary of State to direct a review of respectively non-ITA and existing ITA areas. I will give reasons why we object to both clauses. The ostensible principle of this...

I shall also speak to the Question whether Clause 71 should stand part of the Bill. The clauses will allow the Secretary of State to direct a review of respectively non-ITA and existing ITA areas. I will give reasons why we object to both clauses. The ostensible principle of this...

I am grateful to the Minister for his careful and generally sympathetic response, in principle at least, and recognise his concerns. I also thank other Members of the Committee who have spoken and asked for some sympathetic response to the principle of the matter. Perhaps I should have made it...

I am grateful to the Minister for his careful and generally sympathetic response, in principle at least, and recognise his concerns. I also thank other Members of the Committee who have spoken and asked for some sympathetic response to the principle of the matter. Perhaps I should have made it...

I am grateful to the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, for moving the amendment. I do have a modicum of sympathy for it for the very reasons that he and other noble Lords have adumbrated. One sympathises greatly with anyone who is homeless, and the ability to move around, to make...

I am grateful to the noble Earl, Lord Listowel, for moving the amendment. I do have a modicum of sympathy for it for the very reasons that he and other noble Lords have adumbrated. One sympathises greatly with anyone who is homeless, and the ability to move around, to make...

Yes, I clarify that.

Yes, I clarify that.

Why the distinction between Clause 68, which is about any two or more authorities, and Clauses 70 and 71, which could be just one authority? I understand the argument about flexibility, but there is a contrast between the two clauses. I do not understand—perhaps my noble friend could give an...

Why the distinction between Clause 68, which is about any two or more authorities, and Clauses 70 and 71, which could be just one authority? I understand the argument about flexibility, but there is a contrast between the two clauses. I do not understand—perhaps my noble friend could give an...

I accept that there is more flexibility to the Durham scheme than I was aware of. I repeat my hope that the matter will be monitored carefully and kept under review. If a problem develops for disabled people, I am reassured by the Minister's observations that there are powers that...

I accept that there is more flexibility to the Durham scheme than I was aware of. I repeat my hope that the matter will be monitored carefully and kept under review. If a problem develops for disabled people, I am reassured by the Minister's observations that there are powers that...

I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. The amendment has a point. For those for whom driving is not optional, this is effectively a tax on disabled people, not a charge on congestion. The Government have recognised as much in the impact assessment on the draft Bill. If...

I am grateful to the Minister for his reply. The amendment has a point. For those for whom driving is not optional, this is effectively a tax on disabled people, not a charge on congestion. The Government have recognised as much in the impact assessment on the draft Bill. If...

Before the noble Lord withdraws his amendment, in fairness to Durham I ought to put on the record that, as I understand it, disabled persons who book a disabled parking place within the congestion zone under its scheme receive a permit to lower the bollard which provides the access. That...

Before the noble Lord withdraws his amendment, in fairness to Durham I ought to put on the record that, as I understand it, disabled persons who book a disabled parking place within the congestion zone under its scheme receive a permit to lower the bollard which provides the access. That...

I thank the Minister and the noble Lord, Lord Elis-Thomas, for their contributions. I am not entirely satisfied, but I have been reassured by quite a lot of what the Minister said. Part of my criticism of Clause 109 is that it is so loose. It is badly drafted, and...

I thank the Minister and the noble Lord, Lord Elis-Thomas, for their contributions. I am not entirely satisfied, but I have been reassured by quite a lot of what the Minister said. Part of my criticism of Clause 109 is that it is so loose. It is badly drafted, and...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Low, for his explanation of the purpose and thinking behind the amendment. As the noble Lord has said, the Transport Act 2000 provides the appropriate national authority with the ability to set regulations on exemptions and discounts, and on limiting the...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Low, for his explanation of the purpose and thinking behind the amendment. As the noble Lord has said, the Transport Act 2000 provides the appropriate national authority with the ability to set regulations on exemptions and discounts, and on limiting the...