HC Deb 14 July 1982 vol 27 cc1020-1
5. Sir John Biggs-Davison

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is yet in a position to make a statement about the future of public transport in and near London.

The Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Reginald Eyre)

My right hon. Friend is still considering the future organisation of transport in the London area and awaits with interest the report of the Select Committee on Transport. In the meantime, we have made it clear to the GLC that what is needed is a decent transport system for London with lower fares and better value for money within the considerable resources available to London Transport. We have asked the GLC to prepare a plan on that basis. How it measures up to the task will be a factor in decisions about organisational change.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

Is my hon. Friend aware of the reliance of many of my constituents on the Epping-Ongar and Central line of London Transport, which is the responsibility of the Greater London Council, upon which my constituents' local authorities are not represented? Will the Secretary of State, therefore, expedite proposals for setting up a public authority for London transport which is able to do justice to all its users?

Mr. Eyre

I appreciate the complications, which will be taken into account when we consider the Select Committee on Transport's report and my right hon. Friend's proposals.

Mr. Jay

Is the Minister aware that his total inactivity on London Transport affairs for months is doing as much damage to London as his inactivity over the rail dispute is doing to the country as a whole?

Mr. Eyre

The right hon. Gentleman should understand that the damage to transport in London was caused by the ill-conceived GLC "Fare's Fair" policy. That is why my right hon. Friend is right to call on the GLC to prepare sensible plans to deal with London's transport requirements.

Sir Anthony Royle

When the Minister is considering discussions with the GLC, with a view to removing responsibility for London Transport from it, will he consider the possibility of taking away the GLC's responsibility for main roads in the London area, in view of the GLC's failure to deal with the heavy lorry problem?

Mr. Eyre

That will be taken into account.

Mr. Spearing

Does the Minister agree that the unfair deal that his hon. Friend the Member for Epping Forest (Sir J. Biggs-Davison) mentioned is the responsibility not of the GLC, but of the ill-considered and ill-judged intervention of one or two Bromley councillors? Since both British Rail and London Transport gain revenue support from the Government, does the Minister agree that representation and organisation of transport in London can be separate from those of national support?

Mr. Eyre

On reflection the hon. Gentleman will understand that the Lords' judgment was misrepresented in its effect by the GLC, which has now realised that it does not require it to break even without subsidy. The hon. Gentleman should understand that the GLC plans did enormous harm to businesses and to a great number of private individuals as a result of the excessive burden of rates that was placed on them.

Mr. John Page

When my hon. Friend is publishing and considering his future plans for public transport in London, will he also consider finding a new parent for London Transport which could be a new parent for the Hackney carriage industry and the private hire car industry?

Mr. Eyre

I appreciate the importance of my hon. Friend's points and they will be taken into consideration.