HC Deb 24 March 1970 vol 798 cc1180-1
1. Mr. John Fraser

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals have now been submitted to him by London Transport for the extension of the Victoria Line beyond Brixton.

45. Mr. Moyle

asked the Minister of Transport what proposals he has now received for the extension of the Fleet Line into South-East London from London Transport Executive.

The Minister of Transport (Mr. Frederick Mulley)

General responsibility for extending the London Transport network now rests with the Greater London Council, from which I have received no formal proposals.

Mr. Fraser

Would my right hon. Friend prod the London Transport Executive into making proposals? Does he agree that an extension of this line to Herne Hill, West Norwood and up to Crystal Palace would make a great contribution to public transport in London? Is he aware of the need to go ahead with such a scheme before the design teams, which are still working on the line to Brixton, are broken up?

Mr. Mulley

I do not regard it as my function to prod the London Transport Executive. The fact that it has responsibility means that it must accept that responsibility. Crystal Palace is already served by British Rail, and studies made some time ago of an extension south from Brixton did not suggest that, on cost-benefit grounds, it would be justified. The Greater London Council and the L.T.E. are considering some extensions of, for example, the Bakerloo Line to Camberwell or Peckham, but in the first instance these are essentially matters for the G.L.C.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

Prod or not, will the Minister suggest to the G.L.C. that the Victoria Line should be joined up with the Central Line for the benefit of my constituents?

Mr. Mulley

I am sure that the G.L.C. is only too well aware of all the views that have been expressed in the House today.

Mr. Roebuck

Is my right hon. Friend aware that an extension of the Fleet Line would enable the services on the Bakerloo Line to my constituency to be doubled? Will he therefore reconsider his attitude and send a prodding letter to the G.L.C., or does he feel that after 9th April we shall have a better local authority which will not need prodding?

Mr. Mulley

I am not able to forecast what may happen on 9th April, although I would not be displeased if my hon. Friend were satisfied on 10th April. This is not my responsibility. Also, to change this situation would require an Act of Parliament. One was passed only last year.

31. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Transport when the underground extension from Victoria to Brixton will be open to the public; and on what date completion was originally intended.

Mr. Mulley

The extension was originally intended to be completed by 1972, but I understand that the London Transport Executive now hopes to open it in 1971, although Pimlico station will not be ready until 1972.

Mr. Lipton

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. It has taken about 25 years to get this extension approved, and this speeding up will be more than welcome.