To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the effect of the increase in diesel fuel duty in his Budget statement on the operation of bus services.[5306]

This increase is very small in terms of the overall operational costs of bus services. There is, therefore, no reason for it to have significant impact on the levels of services. It should encourage the operators to be more efficient in their use of fuel, and reduce emissions from public service vehicles.

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make it his policy to maintain the frequency of local bus services. [5307]

Bus operators must be free to respond to changes in the market. It is for county councils to ensure that essential public transport services are provided where these cannot be provided commercially.