HC Deb 01 February 1984 vol 53 cc229-30W
Mr. Gerald Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how far his proposals for re-organising public transport in London will accommodate any remedies suggested in the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report about London bus maintenance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

The Bill now before Parliament will provide a new framework to enable those managing London's public transport to tackle effectively the very serious defects that the report by the MMC has revealed. I welcome the many changes already proposed by LTE senior management to cut costs including the intention to seek provision from the private sector where that is cheaper and more cost-effective than the present arrangements. I welcome the parallel studies that LTE have been conducting of rail engineering costs, and the identification of very large savings that could also be achieved there. I deplore the so far negative response of the GLC to the management's cost saving proposals. The GLC is failing to have regard to the extra cost to London ratepayers and passengers, and the damage to the long term interests of those who work for London Transport.