§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will give their estimate—
- (a) of the number of persons entering and leaving the county of London daily for the purpose of work; and
- (b) of the increase expected when tenants have been found for all the office buildings already erected, or now in course of construction, or for the erection of which planning permission has already been given.]
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, some 1,340,000 people now travel daily to and from work in the central area of London, which is roughly the area bounded by the main railway termini. I regret that figures are not available for the County of London as a whole. New offices in the central area are expected to provide employment for some 80,000 additional people, most of whom will travel into, and out of, the area daily.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that answer and ask him two questions? In the location of offices do Her Majesty's Government take into consideration the amount of travel likely to result; and is it their intention to increase without limit the numbers of those compelled to travel into and out of London daily?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, the question of the location and other factors affecting new offices in London is a very complex one which raises a good many other issues besides the load on the transport system. Naturally Her Majesty's Government have that very much in mind amongst other considerations, but as I think my noble friend knows, the whole matter is being looked at very closely by my right honourable friends.
§ LORD WILMOT OF SELMESTONMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether, if I give him proper notice and put down a Question, he will be able to say what arrangements are being made to provide vehicles for the travel of those extra 80,000 people?
§ LORD CHESHAMIf the noble Lord is good enough to put down such a Question, I will certainly do my utmost to answer him.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, have the Government any estimate of the effect this increase of 80,000 will have in an increase in cars coming into the centre of London?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, it is extremely difficult to form a balanced 384 judgment on what the choice of the traveller may be in the future. I do not think I can say anything more sensible than to tell the noble Lord that the number of people who come in by car—or should I say by private vehicle, because it includes motor cycles and cycles—is something of the order of 10 per cent.