HC Deb 05 July 1999 vol 334 cc369-71W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the figures for each of the financial years 1995–96, 1996–97 and 1997–98 in respect of the operations of London Underground Ltd. for(a) total sales revenue from (i) fares, (ii) elderly and disabled concessions and (iii) other sources, (b) staff costs, including pensions, (c) energy, including power distribution, (d) train movement and maintenance, (e) track and signalling maintenance, (f) stations and escalators and (g) other revenue costs including administration, excluding costs arising from the extensions to, and adaptation of, the Jubilee Line. [89015]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The following table shows London Underground Revenue and Operating Costs from 1995–96 through to 1997–98:

London Underground revenue and operating costs 1995–98
£ million
1995–96 1996–97 1997–98
Revenue
Ordinary Fares 746 779 878
Elderly and disabled concessionary 18 17 20
Other fare income 1 1 1
Non-fare income 51 57 62
Total 816 854 961
Operating Costs
Employee costs 356 376 363
Energy 28 29 27
Maintenance 58 57 58
Other costs 182 182 248
Total 624 644 696
Gross Margin 192 210 265

Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received concerning the decision of London Underground Ltd. to dispense with its own means of electricity generation in London; and if he will make a statement. [89010]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I imagine my hon. Friend is referring to the Power PH deal with London Underground signed last August with the private sector Powerlink consortium. The deal involves the modernisation of the Underground's power generation and distribution network and all assets will return to the public sector at the end of this 30 year PFI contract.

I met my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Pound) and union representatives on 22 December 1997 to discuss a number of issues arising out of London Transport's PH deals, including Power. Ministers have also received a total of 10 letters concerning the project from hon. Members and trade unions representatives.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had concerning plans to avoid disruptions to travellers during the scheduled closure of the London Underground Northern Line City Branch this summer. [89136]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I meet with the managing directors of London Underground (LU) and London Transport Buses (LTB) on a regular, monthly basis to discuss issues such as any line closures and measures to minimise the resulting passenger disruption. Officials from the Government Office for London have also been involved in regular meetings with LU, LTB, the London Boroughs and the Police to discuss replacement services during the Northern Line City Branch closure.

In addition, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I met the managing director of LU on 23 June to discuss both the Circle and Northern Line City Branch closures. He assured us that LU are making every effort to keep passenger disruption as low as possible. During the Northern Line City Branch closure, extra buses will be provided along the route and LU will also increase the number of trains along the Charing Cross Branch. Alternative routes are being advertised and extra station staff will help to keep passengers informed.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discussions his Department has had concerning efforts to end disruptions for travellers on the Circle and District London Underground lines arising from current closure of parts of the line. [89137]

Ms Glenda Jackson

My right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport and I met the managing director of London Underground (LU) on 23 June to discuss both the Circle and Northern Line City Branch closures. He assured us that the timetable LU are now operating around the Circle Line is robust and that it is providing passengers with a better service than they received in the first week after Circle Line engineering works began on 12 June. He also promised to provide us with a full report on what went wrong and to inform us immediately if the service around the Circle Line should deteriorate again.

In addition, I meet with the managing directors of LU and London Transport Buses on a regular, monthly basis to discuss issues such as any line closures. My officials have also discussed with LT the measures they are taking to minimise disruption around the Circle Line.

Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress made with the construction of the Jubilee Line Extension; and when the section between Green Park and North Greenwich is due to be fully operational. [89134]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Phase 1 of the Jubilee Line Extension opened on 14 May. London Transport plan to open phase 2 (on to Waterloo) in late summer, and phase 3 (linking with the existing line and providing an end-to-end Stratford to Stanmore service) by late autumn.