asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to reach a decision on the issue of consents for the existing and planned expansion of dial-a-ride and community transport services.

Consent under the Interim Provisions Act was given last October for the GLC to purchase £700,000 worth of vehicles for dial-a-ride schemes. The council's present application, for additional vehicles up to a value of £900,000, which would involve substantial leasing liabilities over a 5-year period, is under consideration.