HC Deb 09 December 1968 vol 775 cc4-5
10. Mr. Sheldon

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's plans for the integration of transport in London under local government control.

Mr. Marsh

The Government's proposals were set out in the White Paper "Transport in London"(Cmnd. 3686) published in July. The Transport (London) Bill, designed to give effect to these proposals, is now before the House.

Mr. Sheldon

Whilst I welcome the Bill, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend is aware that marked concern is felt by many people outside London for the subsidies that London Transport has received? Can he hold out any hope that the subsidies will now end, because people outside the London area do not like paying for the congestion of London?

Mr. Marsh

With a Londoner's hat on, I should say that there are special circumstances in relation to London as the capital of the nation, but the whole purpose of the Bill is to ensure that Londoners pay for their own transport.

Mrs. Thatcher

Could the right hon. Gentleman be a little more explicit? Do his plans include an increase in fares for London Transport to make it a viable unit?

Mr. Marsh

The hon. Lady has seen the London Transport White Paper and the Bill. We shall no doubt have a fascinating discussion on Second Reading.