HC Deb 29 July 1997 vol 299 cc194-5W
35. Mr. Merchant

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how he proposes to increase the use of the private finance initiative on the London Underground. [9383]

Ms Glenda Jackson

We support use of private finance to improve the underground through projects like the proposed power PFI deal. We are determined to attract more private finance to tackle the investment backlog in the underground's key assets, such as track, signalling and civil engineering structures. That is why we are reviewing public-private partnership options for the underground as a matter of urgency.

49. Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress of private investment in London Underground. [9399]

Ms Jackson

London Underground is negotiating two PFI contracts—power and prestige—and awaiting bids for a third—connect. London Underground is also developing proposals for a number of other PFI projects. The Government are also considering public-private partnership options for London Underground as a matter of urgency.

Mr. Collins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much funding at current prices the Government provided to London Underground in each year since 1979. [11297]

Ms Jackson

Government funding is provided to London Transport, rather than its constituent businesses. The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Ltd. and its other businesses is a matter for LT, subject to the ring fencing of support for Jubilee line extension. Total annual grant in constant 1997–98 prices provided to London Transport since 1979 is shown in the table.

Grant to London Transport since 1979 (1997–98 prices)
Year Total grant £ million
1979 396
1980 493
1981 447
1982 602
1983 629
1984–85 592
1985–96 536
1986–87 475
1987–88 310
1988–89 242
1989–90 332
1990–91 600
1991–92 669
1992–93 988
1993–94 754
1994–95 840
1995–96 943
1996–97 963
1997–981 759
1 Estimated outturn.

The table excludes Docklands light railway grant, but from 1996–97 onwards it includes Croydon tramlink grant.