HC Deb 09 March 1999 vol 327 cc156-7
2. Mr. John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood)

When Transport for London is planned to assume responsibility for London Underground. [73413]

The Minister for Transport in London (Ms Glenda Jackson)

Transport for London will take over London Underground on completion of the public-private partnership.

Mr. Wilkinson

Does not that remarkably brief answer betray the fact that the Government have totally failed to fulfil their pledges to the electorate of London, both at the general election and in the campaign for the referendum on the Greater London Authority last year? Were not the Government guilty of issuing a false prospectus, inasmuch as they are unable to say when the private sector will take over the infrastructural assets of London Underground, which is necessary to provide the finance to modernise the system? We have increasing strikes and increasing fares, but no real progress.

Ms Jackson

Madam Speaker, my reply to the hon. Gentleman was in response to your diktat on speedy replies.

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question was a million miles from the facts. I am sure that, as a member of the Committee considering the Greater London Authority Bill, he is aware of that. The Government have made it abundantly clear that we will not be driven by empty political ideology, as was the previous Administration, and that we will not be tied by an artificially imposed deadline. Completion of the public-private partnership will be based on best value, in terms not only of taxpayers' money, but of delivering a high-quality underground system to the people of London.

Mr. Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington)

Can the Minister confirm that the timetable for the public-private partnership has slipped to at least 2002, as suggested by today's Financial Times? Can she also say how the Government will fund the investment in the tube that is needed in 2000 and beyond, given that that budget has been reduced to zero?

Ms Jackson

The timetable for the public-private partnership has not slipped and it is regrettable that the hon. Gentleman has to support his arguments with mere speculation reported in a once-admired newspaper. In respect of the public-private partnership, I repeat that the Government will be driven by ensuring best value for taxpayers' money and best value for a high-quality service to Londoners.

Mr. Richard Ottaway (Croydon, South)

First, can the Minister clarify the confusion about London Underground fares? Who is right—the Minister, who says that fares will rise by 1 per cent. in real terms until 2001, or London Underground, which says that they will continue to rise until at least 2002? Secondly, will she recognise that, by the Government's admission, not the admission of a newspaper, public money may be needed to subsidise the partial privatised underground—[Interruption.] Public money may be needed to subsidise the partial privatisation of the underground, and that has thrown the whole process into chaos. Is not the public-private partnership simply a maintenance contract propped up by the taxpayer? It is not a third way; it is not a second way; it is the return of old Labour.

Ms Jackson

Given the number of times that the hon. Gentleman has asked that question, I should have thought that he would be able to deliver it without any kind of stumble or pause. He is aware that I cannot answer for London Underground. I certainly stand by what I have said about fares and I repeat, yet again, that the Government have made it abundantly clear that we will not be driven by empty political dogma or by an artificially imposed deadline. The completion of the public-private partnership will be dependent upon what is in the best interests of Londoners and of taxpayers and upon what will deliver the best service for Londoners.