In response to our initial proposals document, ATCO, COSLA, Aberdeenshire Council and Midlothian Council pressed for a power to oblige bus operators to divulge information that might be considered commercially confidential.In our response to the consultation exercise, we indicated that we thought that sufficient powers to obtain information were contained within the QP and QC provisions. However, following further consideration, we concluded that there was a distinction to be drawn between the provision of information to measure the effectiveness of schemes and the provision of information to aid planning by local authorities.