asked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) if he will undertake research into the provision in cities of public transport on an annual season ticket basis, on the lines of recent experiments in Helmstedt and Stockholm, details of which are in his possession;(2) if he will undertake research into the provision in cities of public transport on a flat fares basis;(3) if he will initiate studies into the provision of free public transport in cities, on the lines of recent experiments in Rome, details of which are in his possession.

I am at present conducting a project in Stevenage in partnership with the development corporation and London Country Bus Services which includes study of the effects of a flat fare and fare reduction. As part of a general survey of bus industry research, I am now considering what further studies should be made.