§ 39. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in view of the fact that the trades unions, workers and employers on the London Underground are threatening to close down the London Underground services each day at 10 pm due to the vandalism and attacks upon staff, he will hold consultations with London Transport and the Greater London Council with a view to ensuring that a service will be provided after 10 pm.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeNo. The provision of services on the London Underground is a matter for the management of London Transport and for the GLC. However, we are very concerned about the problem of violence on public transport and my right hon. Friend, with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, chaired a conference on this last May. We have subsequently given high priority to increasing the number and effectiveness of the police deployed on public transport, particularly in London. In considering London's transport supplementary grant settlement we took account of London Transport's special need for manpower and equipment to reduce violence. A programme of works, such as the installation of train radios and closed circuit television, has been set in hand.