§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport what request he has made and what reply he has received from the London Transport Board concerning national and international statistical comparisons of efficiency in respect of cost per bus mile and engineering and maintenance staff per mile of railway located underground.
§ Mrs. ChalkerNone, since until under the London Regional Transport Bill the responsibility is transferred to my right hon. Friend it is for the GLC to ensure that LT compares favourably with other undertakings abroad in terms of securing cost-effective provision of their services.
In relation to the recent MMC report on bus engineeering, I have noted with interest and commend Dr. Bright's statement that work is urgently in hand in respect of both bus and rail engineering and maintenance to secure reduced staff costs, better use of resources and better output.