§ Mr. Douglas Jay (Battersea, North)I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to clarify the meaning of the Transport (London) Act 1969 by providing for the Greater London Council power to make grants towards the current expenses of the London Transport Executive where such grants appear to the Council to be required to provide or secure the provision of such public passenger transport services as best meet the needs for the time being of Greater London; to provide that such grants shall be treated as revenue of the Executive; and for connected purposes.
The Bill is intended to end the confusion caused by the recent Lords judgment and to restore to the law the meaning which everyone believed it had before that judgment.
I am assuming today that the Law Lords were correct in their reading of the present Act, although anyone who studies the admirable speech made by my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, South and Finsbury (Mr. Cunningham) in the debate on 23 December may doubt that and conclude that the Act is at least highly ambiguous.
It is, of course, the judges' duty to interpret the law. It is our duty to enact the law and to amend it. If the 1969 Act means what the Lords say it means, that law must be amended and clarified.
The Lords quite properly did not indulge in any study of transport economics. As a result of the combined efforts of Parliament and the Lords, a legal obligation has been imposed on the London Transport Executive which is economically impossible to carry out. Virtually no transport undertaking in any great city of the world can cover all its costs out of revenue, largely because the development of the motor car has congested city streets and diverted a large amount of custom from public transport. All the figures prove that.
Before the recent cut in fares, about 75 per cent. of London Transport costs were covered by revenue from fares. After the cuts, the figure was 54 per cent. In Berlin only 39 per cent. of costs are covered by fares, in Paris 44 per cent., in New York 55 per cent., and in Brussels only 30 per cent. If we fly in the face of economic reality and try to force London Transport to do something which is commercially impossible, considerable damage will be done to the undertaking, to Londoners, and to the economy of London generally.
In Sir Peter Masefield's own words, in a letter to The Times, we shall
seriously undermine the standards of public transport in London.The closure of services and the doubling of fares will prevent many people from travelling to work. The chairman of London Transport apparently will be breaking the law, whether or not he raises fares. The Lords' judgment rested mainly on section 7(3) which requires the executive to balance expenses with revenue so far as is practicable. This was held by the Lords to qualify section 3 of the Act which says thatthe Council"——that is, the Greater London Council——shall have power to make grants to the Executive for any purposeMany people took that to mean exactly what it says.My Bill makes it clear, first, that the grants that the council can provide include grants towards the current 860 costs of London Transport and, secondly, that such grants can be counted as revenue before current revenue is balanced against current expenditure. This would, in effect, transfer decisions on the economic policy of London Transport from the courts to the electors of London where they should reside.
The then Minister of Transport, introducing the Bill on 17 December 1968, said
The basic purpose of the Bill is to place the main responsibilities for transport in London where, in my view, they belong—with the people of London, through their elected representatives on the Greater London Council.The present Prime Minister, then speaking from the Opposition Front Bench, said in reply:I do not think anyone will quarrel with the main purpose".— [Official Report, 17 December 1968, Vol. 775, c. 1244, 1255.]It is that purpose that my Bill seeks to carry out. The national budget, I believe, here as in the United States, must contribute something towards the cost of London Transport. I cannot, however, include that in my Bill because I am advised that it would technically impose a charge. I do not pretend that the Bill is perfectly drafted. If the Minister will take it over and let the professional draftsmen do better, I shall be delighted. I have great respect for the professional draftsmen if only because I can never understand what they write.I hope at least that the Minister will recognise that this is a highly serious economic issue affecting 10 million people or more, that some early legislation is essential and that it must be treated as such an issue and not simply regarded as a subject for juvenile party political slogans. Almost the entire press, from The Times to The Standard, and the chairman of London Transport agree that new legislation is necessary. In that spirit, I hope that the House will agree that the Bill should at least go forward for further debate.
§ Mr. Neil Thorne (Ilford, South)I wish to oppose the Bill. One cannot fail to be impressed by the manner in which the right hon. Member for Battersea, North (Mr. Jay) presented his case, but I am afraid that his speech gives only one side of the story. Up to May last year, London Transport had been managed in a sound and forward-looking way by both parties that had had responsibility for it since 1969. It was receiving subsidies of£250 million from taxpayers in one form or another. No one can deny that London receives a satisfactory share of subsidy in this country amounting to no less than 40 per cent. of the total transport supplementary grant paid last year.
On top of this, there is the free gift of the entire undertaking to the Greater London Council by the Government in 1969. There was absolutely no charge for buses, trains, offices, stations, lines, plant, machinery and fixtures and fittings. The Secretary of State of the day was pleased to lose this responsibility and agreed the terms laid down by the Greater London Council. Certainly, at that time, the GLC had no wish to acquire an expensive albatross around its neck that would have to be passed on to the ratepayers. In the event, it did not. It was in that light that the Transport (London) Act 1969 was passed. Therefore, it comes as no surprise to me that the Lords ruling was given as it was because the parties involved in 861 the negotiations in 1968—I was there—certainly did not envisage a revolutionary system of a Livingstone type or any other form.
To hear some speak now, one might conclude that public transport in this country is dealt with in a shameful way, compared with other countries. The latest figures available for a broad spread are for 1976. In Sweden, the government gave 0.32 per cent. of gross national product to subsidise its transport system. In Belgium and the Netherlands, the figure was 0.25 per cent.; France 0.21 per cent.; Norway, 0.2 per cent., which is an estimate because the latest figure is for the previous year; Ireland, 0.14 per cent.; Finland, 0.13 per cent.; Canada and Switzerland, 0.12 per cent.; United States, 0.11 per cent.; Greece, 0.06 per cent., and Spain, 0.04 per cent.
The United Kingdom is second, with a 0.25 per cent. subsidy. Against this background, we find today a belligerent GLC led by a man who has by his actions brought matters near to chaos. He has been assured that if he goes back to the pre-May 1981 position, should there be any doubt about the law, the Government will do their best to help with the necessary legislation. But this he will not accept because he hopes to advance his cause by chaos. The Government have made clear their determination to protect old people's fare concessions, but where is the GLC's sympathy for old people's rates? They get no extra benefit for profligate local public transport.
The old people do not wish to subsidise tourist travel, nor do they wish to subsidise office rents in central London, which is exactly what is done by giving cheap transport. Nor do they wish to give subsidies to the office workers for the whole of the South-East outside the Greater London area. They do not wish to see suburban industry hammered with extra rate burdens that reduce their ability to employ local school leavers. Like most taxpayers and ratepayers, they wish to see sound management with capital investment in long-term projects leading to such things as single manning and a more efficient system. This will not be achieved by a return to the previous situation proposed by the Bill. Therefore, I hope that hon. Members will vote against it.
§ Question put:—
§ The House divided: Ayes 205, Noes 177.
864| Division No. 63] | [10.00 pm |
| AYES | |
| Adley.Robert | Channon, Rt. Hon. Paul |
| Aitken, Jonathan | Chapman, Sydney |
| Alexander, Richard | Churchill, W.S. |
| Alison, RtHon Michael | Clark, Hon A. (Plym'th, S'n) |
| Amery, RtHon Julian | Clark, Sir W. (Croydon S) |
| Ancram, Michael | Clarke, Kenneib(Rushcliffe) |
| Arnold, Tom | Clegg, Sir Walter |
| Aspinwall, Jack | Cockeram, Eric |
| Atkins, RtHon H.(S'thorne | Colvin, Michael |
| Atkins, Robert (PPrestonN) | Cope, John |
| Atkinson, David | Cormack, Patrick |
| Baker, Kenneth(St.M'bone) | Corrie, John |
| Baker, Nicholas (NDorset) | Costain, SirAlbert |
| Beaumont-Dark.Anthony | Cranborne, Viscount |
| Bell, SirRonald | Critchley, Julian |
| Bendall, Vivian | Crouch, David |
| Bennett, Sir Frederic (T'bay) | Dean, Paul (NorthSomerset) |
| Benyon,Thomas(A'don) | Dickens, Geoffrey |
| Benyon, W. (Buckingham) | Dorrell, Stephen |
| Best, Keith | Douglas-Hamilton, LordJ. |
| Bevan, David Gilroy | Dover, Denshore |
| Biffen, RtHon John | du Cann, Rt Hon Edward |
| Biggs-Davison.SirJohn | Dunn, Roben(Dartford) |
| Blackburn, John | Durant, Tony |
| Body, Richard | Dykes, Hugh |
| Bonsor, SirNlcholas | Eden, RtHon Sir John |
| Boscawen, HonRobert | Eggar, Tim |
| Bottomley, Peter (W'wich W) | Elliott, SlrWilliam |
| Bowden, Andrew | Eyre, Reginald |
| Boyson, Dr Rhodes | Fairgrieve, SirRussell |
| Braine, SirBernard | Faith, MrsSheila |
| Bright, Graham | Farr, John |
| Brinton, Tim | Fell, SirAnthony |
| Brittan, Rt. Hon. Leon | Fenner, Mrs Peggy |
| Brooke, Hon Peter | Finsberg, Geoffrey |
| Brotherton, Michael | Fisher, SirNigel |
| Brown, Michael (Brigg&Sc'n) | Fletcher, A. (Ed'nb'ghN) |
| Browrn B,Jobn(Winchester) | Fletcher-Cooke.SirCharles |
| Bruce-Gardyne,John | Fookes, Miss Janet |
| Buck, Antony | Forman, Nigel |
| Budgen, Nick | Fowler, Rt Hon Norman |
| Bulmer, Esmond | Fox, Marcus |
| Burden, SirFrederick | Fraser, Peter (SouthAngus) |
| Butcher, John | Gardiner, George (Reigate) |
| Cadbury, Jocelyn | Gardner, Edward (SFylde) |
| Carlisle, Kenneth (Lincoln) | Garel-Jones, Tristan |
| Carlisle, Rt Hon M.(R'c'n) | Gilmour, Rt Hon Sir Ian |
| Chalker, Mrs. Lynda | Glyn, DrAlan |
| Goodhart,SirPhilip | Marland,Paul |
| Goodhew,SirVictor | Marlow,Antony |
| Goodlad,Alastair | Marshall, Michael(Arundel) |
| Gorst,John | Marten, Rt Hon Neil |
| Gow, Ian | Mates, Michael |
| Grant, Anthony (HarrowC) | Maude, Rt Hon Sir Angus |
| Gray, Hamish | Mawby, Ray |
| Greenway, Harry | Mawhinney, DrBrian |
| Grieve, Percy | Maxwell-Hyslop,Robin |
| Griffiths, E,(BySt,Edm'ds) | Mayhew, Patrick |
| Griffiths, Peter Portsm’thN) | Mellor,David |
| Grist, Ian | Meyer, Sir Anthony |
| Grylls,Michael | Miller, Hal(B'grove) |
| Gummer, John Selwyn | Mills, lain(Meriden) |
| Hamilton, HonA, | Mills, Peter (West Devon) |
| Hamilton, Michael (Salisbury) | Miscampbell, Norman |
| Hampson, DrKeith | Moate, Roger |
| Hannam, John | Monro, SirHector |
| Haselhurst, Alan | Montgomery, Fergus |
| Hastings, Stephen | Moore, John |
| Havers, Rt Hon Sir Michael | Morgan, Geraint |
| Hawkins, Paul | Morris, M. (N'hamptonS) |
| Hawksley, Warren | Morrison, Hon C.(Devizes) |
| Hayhoe, Barney | Morrison, Hon P.(Chester) |
| Heath, Rt Hon Edward | Mudd, David |
| Heddle, John | Murphy, Christopher |
| Henderson, Barry | Myles, David |
| Heseltine, RtHonMichael | Neale, Gerrard |
| Hicks, Robert | Needham, Richard |
| Higgins, Rt Hon Terence L, | Nelson, Anthony |
| Hogg, HonDouglas(Gr'th'm) | Neubert, Michael |
| Holland, Philip(Carlton) | Newton, Tony |
| Hooson, Tom | Normanton, Tom |
| Hordern, Peter | Nott, Rt Hon John |
| Howe, Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey | Onslow, Cranley |
| Howell, Rt Hon D.(G'ldf'd) | Oppenheim, Rt Hon Mrs S. |
| Howell, Ralph (N Norfolk) | Osborn, John |
| Hunt, David(Wirral) | Page, John (Harrow, West) |
| Hunt, John(Ravensbourne) | Page, Richard (SW Herts) |
| Hurd, HonDouglas | Parkinson, Rt Hon Cecil |
| Irving, Charles(Cheltenham) | Parris, Matthew |
| Jenkin, Rt Hon Patrick | Patten, Christopher(Bath) |
| Jessel, Toby | Pattie, Geoffrey |
| JohnsonSmith, Geoffrey | Pawsey, James |
| Jopling, RtHonMichael | Percival, Sirlan |
| Joseph, Rt Hon Sir Keith | Pink, R.Bonner |
| Kaberry, SirDonald | Pollock, Alexander |
| Kellett-Bowman.MrsElaine | Porter, Barry |
| Kershaw, SirAnthony | Prentice, Rt Hon Reg |
| Kimball, SirMarcus | Prior, Rt Hon James |
| King, Rt Hon Tom | Proctor, K. Harvey |
| Kitson, SirTimothy | Pym, RtHon Francis |
| Knight, MrsJill | Raison, Timothy |
| Knox, David | Rathbone, Tim |
| Lamont, Norman | Rees, Peter (Dover and Deal) |
| Lang, Ian | Rees-Davies, W. R. |
| Langford-Holt, SirJohn | Renton, Tim |
| Latham, Michael | Rhodes James, Robert |
| Lawrence, Ivan | RhysWilliams.SirBrandon |
| Lawson, Rt Hon Nigel | Ridley, HonNicholas |
| Lee, John | Ridsdale, SirJulian |
| LeMarchant, Spencer | Rifkind, Malcolm |
| Lennox-Boyd, Hon Mark | Rippon, RtHon Geoffrey |
| Lester, Jim (Beeston) | Roberts, M. (Cardiff NW) |
| Lewis, Kenneth (Rutland) | Roberts, Wyn (Conway) |
| Lloyd, Ian (Havant& W'loo) | Rossi, Hugh |
| Lloyd, Peter (Fareham) | Rost, Peter |
| Loveridge, John | Royle, Sir Anthony |
| Luce,Richard | Sainsbury, HonTimothy |
| Lyell, Nicholas | St. John-Stevas, Rt Hon N. |
| McCrindle, Robert | Scott, Nicholas |
| Macfarlane, Neil | Shaw, Giles (Pudsey) |
| MacGregor, John | Shaw,Michael(Scarborough) |
| MacKay, John (Argyll) | Shelton, William(Streatham) |
| Macmillan, RtHonM. | Shepherd, Colin(Hereford) |
| McNair-Wilson, M. (N'bury) | Shepherd,Richard |
| McNair-Wilson, P. (NewF'st) | Shersby, Michael |
| McQuarrie, Albert | Silvester, Fred |
| Madel, David | Sims, Roger |
| Major, John | Skeet, T. H. H. |
| Smith, Dudley | Vaughan, DrGerard |
| Speed, Keith | Viggers, Peter |
| Speller, Tony | Waddington, David |
| Spence, John | Wakeham, John |
| Spicer, Jim (WestDorset) | Waldegrave, HonWilliam |
| Spicer, Michael (S Worcs) | Walker, Rt Hon P.(W'cester) |
| Sproat, lain | Walker, B.(Perth) |
| Squire, Robin | Walker-Smith, Rt Hon Sir D. |
| Stainton, Keith | Wall, SirPatrick |
| Stanbrook, lvor | Waller, Gary |
| Stanley, John | Walters, Dennis |
| Steen, Anthony | Ward, John |
| Stevens, Martin | Warren, Kenneth |
| Stewart, A. (ERenfrewshire) | Watson, John |
| Stewart, Ian (Hitchin) | Wells, Bowen |
| Stokes, John | Wells, John(Maidstone) |
| Stradling Thomas, J. | Wheeler, John |
| Tapsell, Peter | Whitelaw, RtHonWilliam |
| Taylor, Teddy (S'end E) | Whitney, Raymond |
| Tebbit, Rt Hon Norman | Wickenden, Keith |
| Temple-Morris,Peter | Wiggin, Jerry |
| Thatcher, Rt Hon Mrs M. | Wilkinson, John |
| Thomas, Rt Hon Peter | Williams, D.(Montgomery) |
| Thompson, Donald | Winterton, Nicholas |
| Thorne, Neil (llford South) | Wolfson, Mark |
| Thornton, Malcolm | Young, SirGeorge(Acton) |
| Townend, John (Bridlington) | Younger, Rt Hon George |
| Townsend, Cyril D, (B'heath) | |
| Trippier, David | Tellers for the Ayes: |
| Trotter, Neville | Mr. Anthony Berry and |
| van Straubenzee, Sir W. | Mr. Carol Mather. |
| NOES | |
| Abse, Leo | Davidson, Arthur |
| Adams, Allen | Davies, Rt Hon Denzil (L'lli) |
| Allaun, Frank | Davies, Ifor (Gower) |
| Alton, David | Davis, Clinton (Hackney C) |
| Anderson, Donald | Davis, Terry (B'ham, Stechf'd) |
| Archer, Rt Hon Peter | Deakins, Eric |
| Ashley, Rt Hon Jack | Dean, Joseph (Leeds West) |
| Ashton, Joe | Dewar, Donald |
| Atkinson, N.(H'gey,) | Dixon, Donald |
| Bagier, GordonA.T. | Dobson, Frank |
| Barnett, Guy (Greenwich) | Dormand, Jack |
| Barnett, Rt Hon Joel (H'wd) | Douglas, Dick |
| Beith, A.J. | Douglas-Mann,Bruce |
| Benn, Rt Hon Tony | Dubs,Alfred |
| Bennett.Andrew(St'kp'tN) | Duffy, A. E. P. |
| Bidwell.Sydney | Dunnett.Jack |
| Booth, Rt Hon Albert | Dunwoody, Hon Mrs G. |
| Bottomley,RtHonA.(M'b'ro | Eadie.Alex |
| Bradley,Tom | Eastham.Ken |
| Brocklebank-Fowler.C. | Edwards, R. (W'hampt'n S E) |
| Brown, Hugh D. (Provan) | Ellis, R.(NED'bysh're) |
| Brown, R. C. (N'castle W) | Ellis,Tom (Wrexham) |
| Brown, Ronald W. (H'ckn'yS) | English,Michael |
| Brown, Ron (E'burgh, Leith) | Ennals, Rt Hon David |
| Buchan,Norman | Evans, loan (Aberdare) |
| Callaghan, RtHonJ. | Evans, John (Newton) |
| Callaghan,Jim(Midd't'n&P | Ewing,Harry |
| Campbell,Ian | Faulds,Andrew |
| Campbell-Savours.Dale | Field,Frank |
| Canavan,Dennis | Flannery, Martin |
| Cant, R. B. | Fletcher, L. R. (llkeston) |
| Carmichael.Neil | Fletcher.Ted (Darlington) |
| Carter-Jones, Lewis | Foot, Rt Hon Michael |
| Cartwright.John | Ford, Ben |
| Clark, Dr David (S Shields) | Forrester.John |
| Cocks, Rt Hon M. (B'stol S) | Foster, Derek |
| Cohen,Stanley | Foulkes.George |
| Coleman, Donald | Fraser, J. (Lamb'th, N'w'd) |
| Concannon, Rt Hon J. D. | Freeson.Rt Hon Reginald |
| Cook, Robin F. | Freud.Clement |
| Cowans, Harry | Garrett, John (Norwich S) |
| Craigen, J. M. (G'gow, M'hill) | Garrett, W. E. (Wallsend) |
| Crawshaw.Richard | George,Bruce |
| Crowther.Stan | Gilbert, Rt Hon Dr John |
| Cryer.Bob | Ginsburg, David |
| Cunningham, G.(lslington S) | Golding.John |
| Cunningham, DrJ. (W'h'n) | Graham, Ted |
| Grant, George (Morpeth) | Orme, RtHon Stanley |
| Grant, John (IslingtonC) | Owen, Rt Hon Dr David |
| Hamilton, James(Bothwell) | Palmer, Arthur |
| Hamilton, W. W.(C'tral Fife) | Park, George |
| Hardy, Peter | Parker.John |
| Harrison, RtHon Walter | Parry.Robert |
| Hart, Rt Hon Dame Judith | Pavitt, Laurie |
| Hattersley, Rt Hon Roy | Pendry.Tom |
| Healey, Rt Hon Denis | Penhaligon, David |
| Heffer, EricS. | Powell.Raymond(Ogmore) |
| Hogg, N.(EDunb't'nshire) | Price, C.(Lewisham W) |
| HomeRobertson.John | Race, Reg |
| Homewood.William | Radice,Giles |
| Hooley.Frank | Rees, Rt Hon M(Leeds S) |
| Howell, RtHon D. | Richardson,Jo |
| Howells.Geraint | Roberts.Albert(Normanton) |
| Hoyle,Douglas | Roberts,Allan(Bootle) |
| Huckfield.Les | Roberts, Ernest (Hackney N) |
| Hughes.Mark(Durham) | Roberts,Gwilym(Cannock) |
| Hughes, Robert (Aberdeen N) | Robinson, G. (Coventry NW) |
| Hughes, Roy (Newport) | Rooker.J.W. |
| Janner.HonGreville | Roper.John |
| Jay, RtHon Douglas | Ross, Ernest (Dundee West) |
| Johnson, James (Hull West) | Ryman.John |
| Johnson, Walter (DerbyS) | Sandelson, Neville |
| Jones, Barry (East Flint) | Sever, John |
| Jones, Dan (Burnley) | Sheerman,Barry |
| Kaufman, Rt Hon Gerald | Sheldon, RtHon R. |
| Kerr, Russell | Shore, Rt Hon Peter |
| Kilroy-Silk, Robert | Short, Mrs Renée |
| Kinnock.Neil | Silkin, RtHon J. (Deptford) |
| Lambie.David | Silkin, Rt Hon S. C. (Dulwich) |
| Lamborn,Harry | Silverman,Julius |
| Lamond,James | Skinner.Dennis |
| Leadbitter.Ted | Snape, Peter |
| Leighton,Ronald | Soley.Clive |
| Lestor, Miss Joan | Spearing,Nigel |
| Lewis, Arthur (N'ham NW) | Spriggs, Leslie |
| Lewis, Ron (Carlisle) | Stallard, A. W. |
| Litherland, Robert | Steel, Rt Hon David |
| Lofthouse,Geoffrey | Stewart, Rt Hon D. (W Isles) |
| Lyon,Alexander(York | Stoddart,David |
| Lyons, Edward (Bradf'd W) | Stott, Roger |
| Mabon, Rt Hon Dr J. Dickson | Strang,Gavin |
| McCartney,Hugh | Summerskill, HonDrShirley |
| McDonald,DrOonagh | Taylor, Mrs Ann (Bolton W) |
| McElhone,Frank | Thomas, DrR, (Carmarthen) |
| McGuire,Michael(Ince) | Thorne, Stan (PrestonSouth) |
| McKay,Allen(Penistone) | Tilley.John |
| McKelvey.William | Tinn,James |
| MacKenzie.RtHonGregor | Torney.Tom |
| McNally,Thomas | Urwin.RtHonTom |
| McNamara.Kevin | Varley, Rt Hon Eric G. |
| McTaggart, Robert | Wainwright, E.(DearneV) |
| McWilliamJohn | Walker, Rt Hon H.(D'caster) |
| Marks,Kenneth | Watkins, David |
| Marshall, D(G'gowS'ton) | Weetch, Ken |
| Marshall, DrEdmund (Goole) | Wellbeloved,James |
| Marshall, Jim (LeicesterS) | Welsh,Michael |
| Martin,M(G'gowS'burn) | White, Frank R. |
| Mason, Rt Hon Roy | White, J.(G'gow Pollok) |
| Maxton.John | Whitehead, Phillip |
| Maynard, Miss Joan | Whitlock.William |
| Meacher,Michael | Wigley.Dafydd |
| Mellish, RtHon Robert | Willey, RtHon Frederick |
| Mikardo.lan | Williams, RtHon A.(S'sea W) |
| Millan, RtHon Bruce | Williams, Rt Hon Mrs (Crosby) |
| Miller, Dr M.S. (EKilbride) | Wilson, Gordon (DundeeE) |
| Mitchell, Austin(Grimsby) | Wilson, William (C'trySE) |
| Mitchell, R.C. (Soton Itchen) | Winnick, David |
| Morris, Rt Hon A. (W'shawe) | Woodall.Alec |
| Morris, Rt Hon C. (O'shaw) | Woolmer.Kenneth |
| Morton,George | Wright.Sheila |
| Moyle, Rt Hon Roland | Young, David (Bolton E) |
| Mu Hey, Rt Hon Frederick | |
| Newens, Stanley | Tellers for the Noes: |
| Oakes, Rt Hon Gordon | Mr. Lawrence Cunliffe and |
| O'Neill,Martin | Mr. Frank Haynes. |
§ Question accordingly agreed to.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Douglas Jay, Mr. A. W. Stallard, Mr. Nigel Spearing, Mr. Alfred Dubs,Mr. Frank Dobs on and Mr. Thomas Cox.
§ TRANSPORT (LONDON) ACT 1969 (AMENDMENT)
§ Mr. Douglas Jay accordingly presented a Bill to clarify the meaning of the Transport (London) Act 1969 by providing for the Greater London Council power to makegrants towards the current expenses of the London Transport Executive where such grants appear to the Council to be required to provide or secure the provision of such public passenger transport services as best meet the needs for the time being of Greater London; to provide that such grants shall be treated as revenue of the Executive; and for connected purposes: And the same was read the First time; and ordered to be read a Second time upon Friday 19 February and to be printed. [Bill 63.]