§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his current instructions to London Regional Transport concerning the level of fares; when they were published and in what form; which instructions or guidelines they replaced; and when he modified his instruction that fare increases should, in general, parallel changes in the cost of living index.
§ Mr. PortilloAn initial remit has been given to the new LRT chairman, Mr. Wilfrid Newton. This was set out in a written answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to the hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes on 22 March at columns594–95. It asked the chairman for proposals for a management, investment and financial strategy which aims to give London safe and reliable rail and bus services; provides good value for money; and, so far as possible, transfers costs from the taxpayer to the passengers and other beneficiaries. It gives no specific instructions on fare levels. This remit replaced the objectives given to the then chairman of LRT on 20 July 1984.