§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many serious crimes have been recorded on the London Underground during 1997. [22185]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonLondon Underground Ltd. and the British Transport Police take all crime seriously. For the year December 1996 to November 1997 a total of 12,565 notifiable crimes were recorded on the Underground by the British Transport Police. Key categories in this total include:
Number Theft from person (pickpocketing) 6,599 Violent or sexual offences 640 Criminal damage 738 Vehicle offences (LUL car parks) 1,391 Robbery offences 462 Serious disorder 226
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the total funding provided by his Department for improvement of the Northern Line in 1997–98. [22184]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy Department gives grant to London Transport (LT). The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Ltd. and its other businesses is an operational matter for LT. The Government are providing a total of £759 million grant to LT in 1997–98, including £58 million carry forward from the previous year. I understand that LT plans to invest some £60 million in the Northern Line this year. This investment will be funded by a combination of government grant and LT's internal resources. In addition GEC Alsthom is providing new trains for the Northern Line under a private finance initiative deal.