§ 13. Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the chairman of the London Transport Executive.
§ Mr. RidleyI saw Dr. Bright last Monday, when I looked at the latest London Transport developments on bus control and underground operation. I am always happy to meet him to discuss matters of mutual interest.
§ Mr. DobsonWhen the Secretary of State met the chairman of London Transport, did he tell him that he intended to fund the new Regional Transport Authority at the much reduced levels of expenditure set out in December's transport support grant settlement? Did the right hon. Gentleman go on to explain that, in that case, it would probably be necessary to close more than 30 London Transport stations and to withdraw more than 30 London Transport bus routes?
§ Mr. RidleyThe hon. Gentleman appears to have seen a misleading report in The Standard by something called the "Capital Group" in which it was wrongly stated that £100 million was all that would be available next year for London Transport. However, I can happily confirm that there will be £125 million of revenue support and £175 million of capital support, making £300 million in all. That is three times the amount suggested. As a result, no stations are on a list to be closed and no bus routes are likely to be withdrawn. I hope the hon. Gentleman now has it clearly in mind that that report was totally false and, in my opinion, mischievous.