Local Transport Bill [HL]

I understand that my noble friend is saying that he will look at the issue of operator of last resort. I should like to clarify what he said in relation to purchase. I thought he was saying—and I want to check whether I have misunderstood this—that the powers might already be there to enable the purchase. I was not sure whether that was what he was saying or whether he is turning it down straight and not saying that he thinks that the power may be there anyway. No doubt when he responds he will pick that matter up and put it clearly on the record. The amendment would supply the PTEs with the necessary costs. Cost is obviously one of the things PTEs would have to take account of in the equation—whether they did it, what cost would be involved and whether they though it was a cost that they were prepared to stand. The other issue raised is of examples where quality partnerships or quality contracts have failed. My understanding is that we have had only one quality partnership, we have had voluntary partnerships and we have not had any quality contracts. I suppose it is not surprising that one does not have examples of ones that have failed when there has only ever been one in existence anyway. In the hope that my noble friend will respond and clarify what his response was on the issue of the acquiring of land, I will withdraw the amendment.