§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in what areas of his Department's responsibilities he has introduced, or may introduce, private finance; and if he will describe in each case the procedures by which private finance is sought.
§ Mr. MacGregorWe are already promoting private sector investment in transport through:
- —privatisation in several transport areas:
- —turning over complete projects to the private sector (as in the case of the channel tunnel and the Queen Elizabeth II bridge at Dartford);
- —developer contributions (such as I am negotiating for the Jubilee line extension).
I very much welcome the changes relating to the use of private finance announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his autumn statement. I have recently been developing plans to encourage more private sector involvement in joint ventures and other initiatives, particularly in relation to major road and rail schemes. I am also keen to encourage the private sector to come forward with its own proposals.