§ 9. Mr. Geraint Davies (Croydon, Central)What assessment he has made of the benefits of road user charging in London. [68272]
§ The Minister for Transport in London (Ms Glenda Jackson)The costs and benefits of road user charging were assessed in the London congestion charging research programme, published by the Government office for London in 1995.
A new study has just been commissioned to illustrate the charging powers that we are proposing as part of the legislation to introduce the Greater London authority.
§ Mr. DaviesWill my hon. Friend confirm that all revenues from road charging in London will be hypothecated for road transport investment in London? Will she also confirm that the Government's commitment to the A23 Coulsdon relief road will not be linked to any particular pricing or charging system in London?
§ Ms JacksonI can confirm that any revenue raised will be hypothecated and that every penny will be spent on improving public transport in London. The A23 was part of our targeted improvement plan, and we have always said that any additional revenue raised from either congestion charging or the private non-residential parking levy will be additional to any money that central Government find for transport.
§ Mr. Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South)Is not London the worst possible place to introduce taxes on road users? Is the Minister aware of a recent report that shows that motorists will have to be charged about £8 a trip if they are to be deterred from entering a town centre? If, as reported, the Government, or a Labour mayor, intend to levy a charge of only £2, does the Minister agree that that will deter no one; that it will not solve the congestion problem; and that the Government are simply using the motorist as a milch cow, replacing the subsidy 115 to London Underground that she will withdraw next year? In short, charging is a tax by the back door, and the Conservative party will oppose it.
§ Ms JacksonI am amazed by that diatribe against an idea originally introduced by the Conservative Administration as part of a paper examining the possibility of raising additional revenues from congestion charging. As in so many areas, the previous Government failed. They failed to introduce charges or to ensure that any money so raised would be hypothecated for the improvement of public transport. That was yet another example of how the previous Government failed the country and, specifically, the people of London. We are redressing their failure, and we shall continue to do so.