Victoria Line (Hansard, 29 April 1959)

§ 49 Mr. J. Harvey
asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation (1) what advice he has received from the London Travel Committee regarding the number of people resident in the boroughs that would be served by the proposed Victoria line on its route from Victoria to Walthamstow;
(2) what advice he has received from the London Travel Committee about the need for major schemes to relieve travel congestion by the improvement of passenger transport schemes in the northeast London area, other than by the provision of the proposed Victoria tube; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what advice he has received from the London Travel Committee regarding the period within which it would be possible to complete the proposed Victoria line tube, in view of the need for speedy action to relieve travel congestion in London.

§ Mr. Watkinson
I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Members for St. Marylebone (Sir W. Wakefield) and Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 22nd April about the proposed Victoria line. I have no doubt that the committee will take into account other possible developments in North East London.

§ Mr. Harvey
May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he does not consider that a very strong case has by now been made out for the construction of the Victoria line as the principally effective means of relieving the already heavily overloaded travel facilities in North-East London, and whether he will bear in mind that the longer a start is delayed the longer it will be before this much-needed relief can be given?

§ Mr. Watkinson
I do not disagree with that, but, as the House knows, this issue has been a current one for many years. I am anxiously awaiting the advice of the London Travel Committee, and I shall give it earnest consideration as soon as I get it.

§ Mr. Ernest Davies
Could the Minister first explain to us how something can be current for many years? Apart from that, as this has been under consideration for many years, and the British Transport Commission obtained the authorisation of this House to construct the line, is it not important that some conclusion should be reached shortly, and can he give any indication when the London Travel Committee will make a report to him? Questions have been asked him over a long period about this matter and it is time the Government made up their mind about it.

§ Mr. Watkinson
As the hon. Gentleman accepts, this has been a matter of current discussion in this House over a number of years. Speaking more seriously, this is a very important decision because, as the House knows, a very large sum of capital is involved and there are the difficulties of making the line pay. That is why I felt that it should be looked at impartially by the London Travel Committee, which has promised me that it will report as soon as it has managed to hear all the many people who want to give evidence. I have undertaken to get a decision as soon as I can after I have received its report.