HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc593-4
5. Sir John Biggs-Davison

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about conditions on the London Underground; and what communication he has had on this matter with London Regional Transport.

Mr. Channon

Until last week, a handful of letters from Members of this House and about 30 from the general public during the past three months. I meet the chairman of LRT at regular intervals, and quality of service is one of the subjects that we discuss.

Sir John Biggs-Davison

Whatever the findings of the King's Cross inquiry on staffing levels, is my right hon. Friend aware that my constituents and I travel late at night on the Central line with considerable apprehension in the absence of staff on duty? If LRT cannot afford it, could a Manpower Services Commission scheme provide extra staff to assist and protect passengers?

Mr. Channon

I understand my hon. Friend's concern. I know that portion of the Underground well. My hon. Friend knows that day-to-day operations are a matter for LRT, and it is for it to satisfy itself that its statutory duty is met. That duty requires LRT to operate safely, efficiently and with economy.

If the formal investigation reveals any deficiencies, they will naturally have to be attended to—and they will be. The whole issue of staffing levels will clearly engage the attention of those who are interested in this topic.

Mr. Corbyn

Is the Secretary of State aware that many people in London are genuinely concerned about safety on the Underground network, not only because of the awful tragedy in King's Cross, but because of the general safety problems caused by overcrowding? When he meets the chairman of London Regional Transport, will he discuss with him the dangers of overcrowding on Underground trains during the rush hour and, very important, the availability of emergency services should an accident occur

? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that he should review his attitude to London Regional Transport and increase its grant to levels commensurate with those for other capital cities' public transport systems, rather than force London Regional Transport to run at close to danger levels because of its lack of resources?

Mr. Channon

I do not accept the hon. Gentleman's last remarks. Investment in the London Underground has been increasing, and is programmed to increase, by substantial amounts — far higher amounts than a few years ago when the Underground was run by the GLC.

I well understand the concern expressed by the hon. Gentleman — and by his constituents, other hon. Members and the general public—about the general issue of safety. London Underground management teams, together with London Underground Ltd. fire prevention section, instituted a 100 per cent. check on the Underground system the day after the tragic fire. All stations, escalators, cross passages and machinery rooms have been checked, and anything needing urgent attention was dealt with on the spot. An action plan of less urgent matters is being drawn up. Obviously, this is a matter that is, rightly, very much in the mind of London Regional Transport, and it is one that I shall be continually discussing with it.

Mr. John Marshall

What proposals has my right hon. Friend received from London Regional Transport about the long over due improvement in the quality of service on the Northern line?

Mr. Channon

I have received a number of proposals from LRT, and the House may be interested to hear what the the board member for finance said at the weekend: We are not constrained by financing; the Government has approved every investment programme that we have put before it. Investment in the Underground, which was running at £114 million a year—at today's prices—between 1970 and 1984, has risen to about £199 million this year, and will be more than £200 million in 1988–89. It is extremely important that the House should understand that an enormous amount of investment is going into the London Underground, and has been for the past few years, and I am determined to continue that.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Will the Secretary of State place in the Library a copy of the recommendations arising from the Oxford street fire disaster, together with a check list showing which of them have been implemented?

As the formal part of the inquiry into King's Cross will not start until some time in January, as soon as the exact cause of that fire is known will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to make a statement to the House, so that people's understandable fears of using the Underground can be allayed as soon as possible?

Mr. Channon

Naturally, I should like to consider that. I am not at all sure yet that we know the cause, and it may take the inquiry to establish it. However, I shall bear the hon. Gentleman's comment in mind.

Naturally, the recommendations following the Oxford Circus station fire have all been followed up. Most of them have been fully implemented and, in a few cases, work is still in hand. A small number of recommendations were not adopted for technical reasons. A full report is being prepared. I shall consider what the hon. Gentleman has said and see whether there is some way in which I can make the information available to the satisfaction of all hon. Members.