RISE IN SCOTTISH BUS FARES

That this House notes with regret the decision taken by the Scottish National Party-led administration to penalise bus users with an inflation-busting 10 per cent. fares rise in Edinburgh and elsewhere because of its refusal to pass on to Scottish bus operators the UK Government's fuel duty rebate; and further notes the results of the Competition Commission's examination of the Scottish Government's budget revealed that no fuel duty will be rebated in the next three years, as a consequence of which Scottish bus passengers will be forced to pay higher fares which will damage the UK Government's aim of encouraging greater use of public transport.