HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc140-1
29. Mr. Gapes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to revive the crossrail project. [9377]

The Minister for Transport in London (Ms Glenda Jackson)

We are awaiting Railtrack's views on crossrail. We shall consider the project in the light of those views, once received, and of our own examination of transport priorities for London.

Mr. Gapes

Will my hon. Friend give urgent further consideration to the Montagu report on crossrail, which concluded that crossrail was economically important and viable, and to the views of London Pride that an east-west rail link across London is the first priority needed to improve transport links?

Ms Jackson

I am aware of both the report and the representations made by London Pride on this issue. It is vital that we prioritise London's transport needs strategically. I am sure that my hon. Friend and the organisations he mentioned will welcome the publication today of our Green Paper on an assembly for London, which will include strategic responsibility for transport and traffic in London.

Mr. Pickles

Even given the Green Paper, crossrail will need, at a reasonable estimate, a guarantee of some £3.5 billion. How can the Minister square that with the idea that a London assembly will not have special fund-raising powers? Is she saying that, despite its needing £3.5 billion, crossrail will receive a high priority in an integrated transport policy?

Ms Jackson

How could the hon. Gentleman sit quietly by while the previous Government spent £150 million of taxpayers' money on a feasibility study for crossrail, £126 million of which was paid to consultants on a daily rate of pay for three and a half to four years? It is a little late for him to express concern about the overall cost of crossrail when the previous Government did nothing to bring it about.

Mr. Chope

Who would have the ultimate political responsibility for priority decisions on crossrail—the elected mayor, the assembly, or the Government? Or would it be a mixture of all three, which is exactly the same chaos that we have now?

Ms Jackson

The ultimate political responsibility rests with the people of London and whomever they vote for.