§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the options currently under consideration for increasing investment in London Underground; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the Coopers and Lybrand report compiled for his Department. [12981]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government are considering a wide range of options for public/private partnerships to increase investment in London Underground, while ruling out wholesale privatisation. The Government's advisers, Price Waterhouse, have examined debt funding with public ownership; partnership structures which could involve a Trust, a joint venture concession or partial sale of the business, or a full concession; and operational structures which could involve a single business, vertically integrated line businesses or separating infrastructure from operations. The Government are also considering options for increasing investment in the short term. I have no plans to place Price Waterhouse's work in the Library, but will consider what background information should be made available when policies and decisions are announced.