§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present position with regard to the discussions his Department have been holding with the interested parties about the proposed extension of the Piccadilly underground line to the fourth terminal at Heathrow.
§ Mr. David HowellEarly this year my Department brought together the various interested parties with a view to finding an acceptable way of providing this facility which would reflect the interests of those investing in it. I am glad to say that an agreement has now been reached under which the British Airports Authority will provide the station and London Transport the rail track and tunnels to connect the terminal with the Piccadilly line at Heathrow Central.
For my part, I have made it plain to the GLC that, in the course of the forthcoming transport supplementary grant settlement, the cost to London Transport, if given high priority by the GLC, will be accepted for grant without prejudice to other GLC projects and the scheme will be designated for capital allocation purposes as ore of regional and national importance. There is therefore nothing now to stand in the way of the planning and provision of the extension, and I hope that work will proceed as quickly as possible. I warmly welcome the prospect of this useful addition to London's transport infrastructure.