§ Mr. RandallTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the meetings he has had in the last 10 months with the Health and Safety Executive to discuss safety on the London underground. [32170]
§ Mr. JamiesonMinisters and officials meet the Health and Safety Executive on a regular basis to discuss a range of issues including safety on the London underground.
§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the PPP contracts as drafted will allow lowering of the current standards of disabled access being provided by London Underground Ltd. when carrying out new building and refurbishments. [33784]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe PPP contracts will require the infrastructure companies to comply with all London Underground standards, including for disabled access, 379W when carrying out new building and refurbishments. The PPP will result in real improvements to the accessibility of the Underground.
§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions why the new draft public-private partnership contracts grant the infrastructure companies the right to challenge London Underground Ltd.'s implementation of its obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, Part 3, access to goods and services. [33783]
§ Mr. JamiesonLondon Underground and the Government remain committed to improving accessibility of the Underground and the modernisation plans will result in real improvements. The contracts require the infrastructure companies to comply with the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations and to carry out other works specified by London Underground to improve accessibility. London Underground can also require the companies to carry out additional improvements, which could have significant cost implications.
The contract therefore provides for London Underground and infrastructure companies to agree on such plans. In the event of disagreement, London Underground can require the work to be done unless the infrastructure company can show that no reasonable person could interpret the requirements of the DDA in the way proposed by London Underground.
§ Mr. Mark FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on revenue to London Underground of delay in implementing the proposed public-private partnership; and if he will make a statement. [34043]
§ Mr. JamiesonLondon Underground does not believe that the timing of the implementation of the public-private partnership has had any effect on revenues.