Three weeks ago I thanked the Secretary of State for Transport for not making a single reference to the coach and bus industry in his speech to the Conservative Party conference.
I’m delighted to report that I’m able to thank him again. On 16 October he appeared before the Transport Select Committee for a one-off session on the general, but important, topic of the ‘Policy Priorities for the Department for Transport’.
First session
This was the first session of the new Committee so it was no surprise that it wanted to have a general knock-about with the Secretary of State.
As it was all about the department’s policy priorities, I am delighted to report that the words ‘coach’ and ‘bus’ never passed the Secretary of State’s lips.
Better news is that not a single member of the Committee, not even Graham Stringer, mentioned coach or bus policy at all.
After the frenzied activity of the last couple of years or so – as buses are concerned – we can now presume that transport ministers and even members of the Committee regard the historically-vexed question of bus policy as finally resolved?
Perhaps, bus operators can be left alone to focus on the most important task of all – providing services to passengers – untroubled by meddling ministers and, at their behest, officials.
Sadly I may be looking through rose-tinted spectacles as I have little doubt that in its eternal wisdom the Committee will at some point find a reason to hold yet another inquiry into bus policy, either specifically or as part of a more general inquiry into local transport.
I guess that’s a burden we must all endure, but for now at least the bus industry can bask in the warm glow of knowing that bus policy is no longer a priority.
Fire in its belly?
I watched the proceedings in the faint hope that the new Committee might show some spark, sense of purpose in life, and even provide evidence it is really in command of the issues and able to seriously hold the Secretary of State to account.
I was hoping for signs that the new Chair, Lilian Greenwood (Labour, Nottingham South) might have some fire in her belly compared with the limp chairmanship of her predecessor, Louise Ellman.
I was sorely disappointed. This was a very tame session indeed, with the Secretary of State under no pressure whatsoever.
In fact he was able to bat away the MPs’ questions with contemptuous ease, and sometimes the look of distain on his face was a picture. Sorry Lilian, but this Committee has not got off to a strong start.
