Local Transport Bill [Lords]

I am glad finally to have the opportunity to speak in this debate, and I am glad that my getting to my feet has been welcomed so warmly by some of my colleagues. My patience has been rewarded. I welcome the opportunity to speak because it is no exaggeration to say that the Bill could have more of an impact on the lives of my constituents in east Bristol than anything else we are debating in Parliament at the moment. That is because public transport is such a huge issue for them. It is interesting that we have heard three contributions so far from the Conservatives, and I think I am right in saying that there has been virtually no mention at all of public transport in their speeches. The hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson), who is no longer in his place, focused on what he admitted was the narrow issue of the prosecution of owners of foreign vehicles. We have just heard a contribution from the hon. Member for Clwyd, West (Mr. Jones) that focused solely on the road-charging powers being given to the National Assembly for Wales. Earlier, we heard the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Knight), who is no longer in his place either—