MP John Spellar calls for electric buses to be built in Britain
The Government has been urged to ensure that all new electric buses for the country's roads are built by British firms.
Former Transport Minister John Spellar said the move would preserve the future of bus manufacturers in the UK during the move towards low emission vehicles.
The Government has committed to electric buses, but concerns have been raised that contracts could end up going to foreign firms rather than established bus builders in Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK.
Speaking in the Commons, the Labour MP for Warley said National Express West Midlands currently has an order on the books for 29 buses, but said the firm had received "no commitment" over future orders.
He added: "They went on to express a hope that capacity would grow with demand, not just from them but from other operators.
"Isn't there a role for Government here? And will the Minister push for a whole of Government and industry approach to ensure that cash flowing into electric and low emission buses benefits bus builders in the UK – including Wright's in Ballymena?"
Northern Ireland Secretary Robin Walker, said: "The PM has announced new funding to overhaul bus links in England and made a commitment to at least 4,000 new zero emission buses.
"We want to work with the industry to make sure that those buses are flowing through to orders to all of those UK companies – including Wright's in Ballymena."
DUP MP Ian Paisley called for a new strategy for bus building. "The Government could underwrite Transport for London, Birmingham buses, Translink and National Express, encourage them to make the orders that they have already indicated that they wish to make over the next year, and put at least £100 million of liquidity into manufacturing in Northern Ireland and across the UK overnight," he said.
"That would cost the taxpayer nothing – they are paying for this anyway – but it would allow manufacturers to continue and employees to have surety of employment and the ability to put bread on the table. I urge the Government to adopt this strategy."
