asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what are the Government's plans for improving rural transport; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what progress he has made in his discussions with the bus industry and with local authority associations about transport problems in rural areas as mentioned in his reply of 26th November 1974 (Official Report, c. 153).

Following earlier discussions with both sides of the industry, my hon. Friend met representatives of local authority associations yesterday. There is general recognition of the need to secure improvements in rural transport but I am not yet in a position to announce specific proposals.