asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the rate and level of new bus grant to be available to the bus industry in 1977–78.

Yes. I have decided that for 1977–78 new bus grant should continue to be paid at the rate of 50 per cent. on approved capital expenditure. The grant will be subject to a cash limit of £48·8 million and this level is intended to enable about the same number of vehicles to be purchased with the aid of grant as are being purchased in 1976–77. I am discussing the allocations to individual operators with the Confederation of Passenger Transport and the local authority associations. I am considering the longer-term future of new bus grant in the context of the transport policy review.