HC Deb 03 June 1981 vol 5 c921
16. Mr. Cyril D. Townsend

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the leader of the Greater London Council to discuss the co-ordination of a transport policy in London.

Mr. Fowler

I have written to the leader of the GLC to suggest a meeting.

Mr. Townsend

Does the Minister recall that last time Labour controlled County Hall its transport policies led to a fares increase of 130 per cent. and a rate increase of 235 per cent.? Will my right hon. Friend discuss damage control with the new leader of the GLC and will the Government recommend a PTA for Greater London as suggested by a Committee of this House?

Mr. Fowler

The second part of my hon. Friend's question is clearly a matter to which we would have to give much closer thought than would come from a snap answer at the Dispatch Box today. The issue which causes most concern at the moment is that, if the GLC were to implement the kind of proposals that it put forward, it would cost the ratepayers about £90 million merely for the rest of this year. The cost to London ratepayers, both domestic and industrial, would be £200 million in a full year. I believe that the GLC would do well to think twice before introducing a policy costing that much money.

Mr. Prescott

When the Minister meets the leader of the GLC, will he bear in mind that in the last election the alternative of a Labour low fare transport policy was posed against years of Tory high fare transport policy and the electorate voted for the Labour low fare policy, even when it was paid for by themselves as ratepayers? Will he bear in mind that the new leader of the GLC fought and won the election on that very manifesto?

Mr. Fowler

I hope that the hon. Gentleman recalls, as he supported them, that the last Labour Government fought tooth and nail against exactly the policies that he now advocates.