§ Mr. Molloyasked the Minister of Transport what discussions she has had with the Greater London Council regarding London public transport; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. CastleI have had a series of discussions with the Leader of the Greater London Council, Mr. Desmond Plummer, on a wide range of matters affecting the future organisation of transport in London. We have now reached an agreement which Mr. Plummer will recommend to the Council and which will form the basis of legislation for a major reorganisation. The main features of the proposal are:
(1)The G.L.C. will become the statutory transport planning authority for London, with wide responsibilities and powers for major highway functions, traffic and public passenger transport services.
(2)The Council will appoint the members of a London Transport Executive to be established under the new powers. The Council will have effective control over policies, finance and the broad lines of operations without however being involved in the day to day management of the Underground network and bus services in the Greater London area for which the Executive will be responsible.
251W(3)The Minister will put London Transport on a sound financial footing before the takeover. The financial arrangements will include a major write-off of the capital debt of the L.T.B.
(4)The British Rail commuter services will not come directly under the Council's control in the same way as London Transport services will. But B.R. fares will be subject to consultation with the Council and the G.L.C.'s transport planning powers will enable them to bring these services into a common plan.
(5)The G.L.C. will obtain wider highway and traffic powers so that they can have unified direction of policy and planning. Procedural reforms will be introduced so that executive action and enforcement in these fields can be quicker and more effective.
Discussions with other interested parties on the details of the reorganisation will begin immediately. I intend to issue early next year a White Paper setting out full information about the proposals. The White Paper will also cover other London matters, notably these arising out of the Report which I expect to receive shortly of the Joint Review of the London Transport Board which has been carried out under the Chairmanship of my hon. Friend the Minister of State.