HC Deb 20 July 1977 vol 935 cc1593-4
19. Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the Chairman of the London Transport Executive.

Mr. William Rodgers

On Friday.

Mr. Newens

When my right hon. Friend meets the Chairman of London Transport, will he impress on him the vital importance of the Epping-Ongar section of the Central Line to the residents of West Essex and to the many people who wish to visit the area, and also point out to him that it would be stupid and wrong for that section to be closed off for a time because it lies outside the area in which it could qualify for GLC grant? The Essex County Council is refusing to give a subsidy to it. Is it not vital that some action should be taken to guarantee the future of this section of the Central Line?

Mr. Rodgers

I certainly undertake to draw my hon. Friend's Question and supplementary question to the attention of the Chairman of the London Transport Executive. I regret that there have been difficulties about this line, but I hope that this is the sort of matter that will be considered far more seriously and over a longer term as a result of the implementation of the proposals set out in the White Paper for county public transport plans.

Mr. Jessel

Will the right hon. Gentleman invite London Transport and the Greater London Council to consider bringing in a single standard Underground fare, as on the Paris Metro, which would greatly reduce operating costs?

Mr. Rodgers

That, again, is something that I shall draw to the attention of the Chairman of the London Transport Executive.

Mr. Thompson

Will the Secretary of State also draw to the attention of the Chairman of the London Transport Executive the indignation felt by an elderly constituent of mine who wished recently to use his Dumfries and Galloway concessionary fare token on the London Underground? Is not this an indication to the Secretary of State that there ought to be a national concessionary fare scheme, to obviate such indignation?

Mr. Rodgers

I think that that is an indication of how unreasonable some people must be.