§ 20.Mr. Christopher Price asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now make a statement about the extension of the Fleet Line beyond Charing Cross.
§ Dr. GilbertThe Greater London Council has recently sent to the Department a paper on the Fleet Line, and my right hon. Friend will make a statement when this latest submission has been fully appraised.
§ Mr. PriceDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it would be quite absurd if this important public transport line were to stop at the Strand? Is he aware that South-East London has for a long time been deprived, in terms of public trans- 1716 port, and will he say when he will be making a final announcement about it?
§ Dr. GilbertI am afraid that it will be some time before my right hon. Friend will be in a position to make a final announcement. I certainly take my hon. Friend's point about the difficulties of public transport in South-East London, but, as he will be aware, the latest estimate from London Transport in respect of the cost of this line is about £200 million at November 1975 prices, and the Greater London Council will have to compete with other areas of the country for such a major investment in public transport.
§ Mr. Geoffrey FinsbergDoes the Minister recognise that people in London have been waiting a very long time for some sort of decision? Conflicting financial estimates have been produced, and the one thing that we really want is an independent considered view as to the cost benefit of extending the Fleet Line.
§ Dr. GilbertI was not aware that conflicting estimates had been produced. I think that we are quite satisfied with the present estimate of the GLC of about £200 million at November 1975 prices.