Mr Andrew F Bennett was called to the chair,

The Committee deliberated.

Draft Report [Integrated Transport White Paper], proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read

Ordered, That the Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.

Paragraphs 1 - 24 read and agreed to.

Paragraph 25 read, as follows:

Increasing road traffic has produced distinct and severe problems in rural areas. Those in the country who have access to cars have increasingly used shops and other facilities outside their village, forcing village shops to close down. Poor public transport to distant facilities makes life very difficult for those who do not have access to a car, notably the old. Walking or cycling are too rarely alternatives since these activities are no longer safe or pleasant on many country lanes. Finally the fuel price escalator, based on the 'polluter pays' principle, has disproportionately affected the poor in rural areas, for whom a car is often a necessity.

Amendment proposed, in line 6, to leave out from the word "Finally" to the end of the paragraph and insert the words "In spite of the fuel price escalator based on the polluter pays principle, petrol prices have on average increased by less than inflation between 1993 and 1999. The poorest people in rural communities do not have access to a car and are most affected by poor public transport".—(Mr Graham Stringer.)

Question put, That the Amendment be made.

The Committee divided

Ayes, 3	Noes 8
Christine Butler	Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody
Mr Brian Donohoe	Mrs Louise Ellman
Mr Graham Stringer	Mr Clifford Forsyth
	Mrs Teresa Gorman
	Mr Bill O'Brien
	Mr Bill Olner
	Mr George Stevenson
	Dr Alan Whitehead

Paragraph agreed to.

Paragraphs 26 to 305 read and agreed to.

Annex agreed to.

Resolved, That the Report be the Ninth Report of the Committee to the House.

Ordered, That the Chairman do make the Report to the House.

Ordered, That the provisions of Standing Order No.134 (Select committees (reports)) be applied to the Report.

Several papers were ordered to be appended to the Minutes of Evidence.

Ordered, That the Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee be reported to the House.

      [Adjourned till Wednesday 14 April at 10 o'clock