§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to alter the capital programmes of London Transport.
§ Mr. NorrisLondon Transport's external financing requirement for the three years ahead is reviewed annually. I cannot anticipate the Chancellor's autumn statement announcement on the financial provision for the years 1993–94 to 1995–96.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what capital spending has been authorised for London Transport on(a) bus replacement and (b) the underground railways in each of the last five years; and what sums have been published for the next two years.
§ Mr. NorrisThe appointment of capital spending between bus purchase, the undergound railways and other types of investment is a matter for London Transport not the Government. The table which gives the information on spending for the past five years is as follows:
Year Cost per bus kilometre (£) 1990–91 prices 1985–86 2.05 1986–87 1.90 1987–88 1.80 1988–89 1.80 1989–90 1.70 1990–91 1.65
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the extension and the returns on bus priority and selective vehicle identification schemes for buses in London.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Department of Transport issued advice on bus priority measures last December, and a number of schemes are now being prepared by the London boroughs in conjunction with London Transport. The Government have allocated £1 million for these schemes in the current year.
A selective bus identification trial scheme in the south-east London—north-east Kent area is producing substantial benefits to buses and their passengers. London Buses is now fitting its buses with the equipment necessary to extend the benefits to other parts of outer London.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the economic effects on the efficiency of London Transport's capital programmes of short-term changes in authorised spending.
§ Mr. NorrisCareful cash control and management of the large stock of projects which LT has in various stages of development enables LT to adjust its capital investment programme from time to time in the light of available resources, as any other business may have to do.
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§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the changes in bus miles and in bus passenger numbers for London Transport bus services compared with out-of-London services.
§ Mr. NorrisFor the past five years, the information requested is as follows:
Bus miles (millions) London Outside London 1986–87 173 1,169 1987–88 171 1,283 1988–89 177 1,306 1989–90 181 1,337 1990–91 189 1,330
Passenger journeys (millions) London Outside London 1986–87 1,164 4,179 1987–88 1,240 4,081 1988–89 1,240 4,001 1989–90 1,207 3,881 1990–91 1,197 3,654
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the average age of London Transport's buses in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. NorrisThe average age of London Buses Ltd.'s fleet is heavily influenced by the presence of around 650 routemaster vehicles whose average age in 1991 was 27 years. I understand from it that the information is as follows:
Year Average age (years) 1987 9.6 1988 9.5 1989 9.9 1990 10.3 1991 10.3
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are his responsibilities, objectives and targets for public transport in London.
§ Mr. NorrisThe Secretary of State's objectives, targets and responsibilities are set out in the Departmental Report "The Government's Expenditure Plans for Transport 1992–93 to 1994–95". A copy of the report has been placed in the House Library.
Since that report was published, there have been two major developments. First, new quality of service objectives for London Transport bus and underground services were announced. I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Fulham (Mr. Carrington) on 2 June, Vol 208, col. 524–26 and on 29 June, Vol 210, col. 388–90.
Secondly, following publication of the white Paper, Cmd. 2012, "New Opportunities for the Railways", a consultation document—"The Franchising of Passenger Rail Services"—was published on 12 October. A copy has been placed in the House Library. This gives further information on how the franchising system will work and 206W seeks views from prospective franchisees. This is in pursuit of the Government's overall objective for British Rail to extend the involvement of the private sector in the operation of the railways, ensure continuity of services, assure safety, and provide value for money.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport in which years since 1972 the capital spending by London Transport has maintained asset standards.
§ Mr. NorrisInformation in the form requested is not held by the Government or by LT.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list link London Transport's(a) higher priority projects and (b) lower priority projects included in his consideration of capital spending plans.
§ Mr. NorrisNo. It is for LT and its subsidiaries, not the Government, to decide what priority is given to specific investment projects.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what sum of money is neded to prevent an increase in the average age of London Transport's buses.
§ Mr. NorrisIt is not possible to give a precise figure. London Buses Ltd's bus replacement programme is not driven by the aim of maintaining a particular average age of the fleet.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport which conclusions and options of the central London rail study have been accepted by him and by London Transport.
§ Mr. NorrisThe central London rail study recommended a major upgrading programme to make the best use of existing infrastructure and proposed two options for new lines. Since then investment in existing infrastructure has been raised to record levels, a Bill has been deposited in Parliament for Crossrail and the route of the Chelsea-Hackney line has been safeguarded.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will estimate the import share in London Transport's capital spending.
§ Mr. NorrisNo such calculation is made or could meaningfully be made. It is for London Transport to place orders where best value for money can be obtained.