Jubilee Line Extension: Policy (Hansard, 14 July 1992)

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, the Government's policy remains unchanged. Unless and until the private sector contributions are assured we see no prospect of authorising the start of construction. We therefore continue to look to the private sector to make its contribution so that the line can proceed.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, is it appreciated that the failure to conclude a firm agreement with Olympia & York is regarded by many people as deplorable, particularly in view of the fact that a 500-strong project team is already engaged in preliminary work? In the light of recent reports, can the noble Earl say definitely whether or not it is the intention of the Government to obtain leases or purchase property from Olympia & York in Canary Wharf in order to transfer civil servants? If the Government do so intend, is it not ironic that we use public money to help private developers undertake the scheme?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am sure that the administrators of Canary Wharf wish to proceed as quickly as possible to finding a potential buyer. With regard to the noble Lord's further point, the Department of the Environment is in touch with various developers in Docklands. Any proposals made will be carefully considered.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, what efforts are the Government making to overcome the planning blight which undoubtedly results from uncertainty over whether the line is to be built?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, that is why the administrators are working hard to find a purchaser.

§ Lord Sefton of Garston
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that London Underground has decided to start work on the 17th of this month? Does that indicate that London Underground is as much out of touch with the Government as the Property Services Agency?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I can assure the noble Lord, Lord Sefton, that London Underground is fully in touch with what is going on. The works have been authorised because, if they were not to be done and the Secretary of State gave approval to start construction, London Underground Limited could not stick to its 53-month construction programme.

§ Lord Sefton of Garston
My Lords, does that mean that the work is starting on Monday?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I did not hear the noble Lord's question.

§ Lord Sefton of Garston
My Lords, I shall speak a little louder. Does that mean that the work is to start on the 17th, as illustrated on the posters displayed around Parliament Square, and that therefore Parliament Square will be closed to traffic on that day?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the noble Lord is not wrong in saying that works will commence.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, in the light of the noble Earl's statement, can he say who will meet the cost of that development work?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the work was programmed well in advance and is already accounted for in the budget. If the work does not proceed the ultimate contract will be delayed.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, will the noble Earl answer the noble Lord, Lord Sefton of Garston? Will the work start on the 17th?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, yes, that is what I said.

§ Lord Sefton of Garston
My Lords, the Government are just as confused as they were in stating that there was an agreement with Olympia & York in regard to the Jubilee Line when it did not in fact exist..

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the Government are not confused. I have made myself perfectly clear.

§ Lord Stoddart of Swindon
My Lords, is the noble Earl aware that his short answers to relevant questions are confusing the House? We want to know whether or not work will commence on the 17th: what the status of that work will be; how long it will continue; and whether or not it will continue to completion.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I repeat for the third time that the noble Lord, Lord Sefton, is right in saying that the works will commence. They will take place during the Recess and be completed before the House resumes.