To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what procedure he will follow to consult passengers' representatives on bus services after privatisation and deregulation.

Current procedures for consulting the London regional passengers' committee (LRPC) will continue after the privatisation of the subsidiaries of London Buses Ltd. and until bus services in London are deregulated. Deregulation will enable bus operators to respond more flexibly to meet passengers' requirements, with competition safeguarding passengers' interests. It is therefore intended that on deregulation LRPC's statutory involvement with bus services in London will cease, in line with the position of other transport consumer groups outside London.