§ 14. Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of journeys in the United Kingdom are made by road; and what percentage by public transport.
§ Mr. MacGregorSome 90 per cent. of passenger and inland freight traffic goes by road.
§ Mr. EvennettI thank my right hon. Friend for his interesting reply. Does he agree that many people in London are keen that we should have a good transport system for the public sector and a good rail network, not only for business, but for commuters and the general public? Does he further agree that only Conservatives believe in real choice in respect of public transport and the private use of motor cars, lorries and vans?
§ Mr. MacGregorI agree with my hon. Friend. The figures are somewhat different for London. There is not only much more Government subsidy into public transport in London than to roads, but more journeys are made by public transport. As an indication of the Government's contribution to public transport in London, it is worth noting that, at the moment, the capital grant to London Underground amounts to £300 a year per regular tube user and the subsidy for Network SouthEast is more than £400 a year for the average regular user.