HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1027-8
20. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment when he will announce his proposals for capital grant for the Fleet line.

Mr. Graham Page

As soon as possible.

Mr. Spearing

Is the Minister aware that his Government have made great claims that they are following the policy of the previous Government in respect of certain aspects of transport policy in London? Will he not follow those precedents and give a 75 per cent. grant to this line, as the previous Government did to the Victoria Line extension to Brixton? Will he say why the Gov- ernment have given a 75 per cent. grant to Liverpool for an underground railway but are not yet prepared to give such a grant to London?

Mr. Page

I am not saying at present whether a 75 per cent. grant will or will not be given in this case. We are asked to commit £70 million of taxpayers' money and it is important that we should examine this matter very carefully before a decision is made.

Mr. Walter Johnson

Is the Minister aware that this continued uncertainty may well cause difficulty in retaining tunnelling staff and expert technical staff? If these teams are broken up, it will considerably increase the cost of constructing this line.

Mr. Page

I will certainly give consideration to that point, but this project needs very thorough examination.