Local Transport Bill [Lords]

That is one of the intentions and we made it clear that we would want to see it happen. Our purpose is to ensure that we get in place the structures and requirements to deliver decent bus services throughout our towns and cities. Having reviewed the provision further, the Welsh Assembly Government have indicated that they wish to preserve the flexibility for the Welsh Ministers to appoint—and hence to pay—persons other than those who might be appointed for those purposes in England. Accordingly, they would like the Bill to include a power for the Welsh Ministers not only to appoint such persons, but to pay them for their services. The new clauses and amendments constitute a direct response to that request, and confer on the Welsh Ministers a power equivalent to the one that clause 18, as amended in Committee, confers on the Secretary of State. It being Nine o'clock, Mr. Deputy Speaker proceeded to put forthwith the Questions necessary for the disposal of Business to be concluded at that hour, pursuant to Order [26 March].