Transport (Wales) Bill

I believe that a strong case can be made out in support of Amendment No. 19; the appointment of a traffic commissioner for Wales. However, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales stated:"““The reason that there is no provision to create a separate commissioner for Wales is that the current commissioners cover Wales . . . I assure my hon. Friend the Member for Gower (Mr Caton) that the Assembly is satisfied with the current arrangements and sees no reason to change them.—[Official Report, Commons, 16/06/05; col. 469.]" Undoubtedly my noble friend Lord Evans will give the same answer to the Committee. Obviously, it is the Assembly’s view that counts at the end of the day. I would not wish to rush to be critical of the Assembly, but I regret that that should have been its reaction. I believe we are entitled to ask the Assembly to think again. Perhaps I may ask my noble friend a few questions. First, does one of the present traffic commissioners have a special responsibility for Wales? If so, can he tell the Committee what proportion of his time and efforts are diverted to non-Welsh matters? Secondly, is the organisation Transport 2000 Cymru correct to assert, as it does, that the poor-quality public transport services in Wales are due to the lack of effective regulatory control from Birmingham? Is that right? It has produced evidence—I shall not quote it to the Committee this afternoon—which tends to show very clearly to me that it is not effective. Thirdly, whatever the present position, is it anticipated that future demands on the traffic commissioner will be increased as a result of the passing of the Bill? It would be helpful to have a reply to those questions, if not today, in a letter, so that we could return to this issue at a later stage. It would also be helpful if the Minister could give an indication whether, if it becomes clear that the current arrangements are seriously at fault, the Assembly is prepared to reconsider its attitude towards this proposal.