Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Department for Transport

Oral Answers to Questions

Clive Efford Excerpts
Thursday 19th April 2012

(12 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Norman Baker Portrait Norman Baker
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I was not aware of that development, but I am interested to hear of it. It is becoming clear that under the new localism and devolution proposals advanced by the Government, different approaches are being adopted by local government. Some councils are responding sensibly and creatively to their new freedoms, while others are responding less well.

Clive Efford Portrait Clive Efford (Eltham) (Lab)
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Inside London, bus fares have gone up under Boris Johnson. This is a tax on people’s jobs, as constituents like mine who have to travel long distances to work now have to face this additional daily cost. Ken Livingstone, the Labour candidate for the mayoral elections, has identified a recurring £330 million sum in Transport for London’s budget; should that not go back to those hard-working people through a reduction in their daily bus fares?

Norman Baker Portrait Norman Baker
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These matters are devolved in London. The hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I do not get involved in some sort of beauty contest between Boris and Ken.