HC Deb 25 October 1984 vol 65 cc683-5W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make available submissions and communications which he receives from London Regional Transport in a similar manner to that adopted by the Greater London council when London Transport was under its control.

Mrs. Chalker

Subject to the specific requirements of the London Regional Transport Act 1984, we shall be guided by principles similar to those followed for nationalised industries generally when deciding what submissions or communications from London Regional Transport to make public. It is the Government's policy to make available as much information as possible, while preserving the confidentiality essential to the effective working of government.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many submissions or communications he has received from London Regional Transport since it was established.

Mrs. Chalker

My Department does not keep a record of the number of communications received from London Regional Transport. My officials are in close touch with LRT over a wide range of matters.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive London Regional Transport's first business plan in accordance with section 29 of the London Regional Transport Act 1984.

Mrs. Chalker

It is for LRT management to decide when to publish its first annual business plan. I understand that it has it in mind to publish a plan before the end of the year.

Mr. Maples

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the response from London Regional Transport to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report, published on 1 February, on the arrangements made by the then London Transport Executive (LTE) for the maintenance of buses and coaches; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

London Regional Transport, which took over the responsibilities of the former London Transport Executive on 29 June 1984, has considered the report and prepared a response, copies of which I am placing in the Library of to House. The response demonstrates LRT's ready acceptance of most of the commission's recommendations and the considerable action that has already been taken to implement many of them. I welcome LRT's positive response to the report so far. My Department will continue to monitor developments and I shall make another statement next year on the further progress made in implementing the commission's recommendations.

The commission found that the cost acounting and management control systems employed by the then London Transport Executive were inadequate and recommended a number of substantial improvements, including in particular the establishment of engineering cost centres for each garage and the introduction of cost reduction targets in such a form that their achievement largely rests with the management at the individual garages and works. This is a matter of fundamental importance. I welcome the action which LRT has already taken towards the introduction of a rigorous cost accounting system with clearly defined levels of accountability and the application of cost reduction targets at district and garage level, and I look forward to the achievement of further progress in this area.

The commission drew attention to the need for an improvement in maintenance standards, noting that a high proportion of LTE vehicles were at that time failing Department of Transport spot inspections. Proposals to improve performance in spot inspections are in hand, and I shall expect to see the necessary improvement achieved and sustained.

The commission made a number of recommendations for improving the efficiency of LTE's maintenance at garages and workshops. LRT is in the process of reviewing the efficiency of maintenance at its garages and is implementing a bus workshops restructuring programme which is intended to secure major improvements in productivity. It recognises that further progress is still required to reduce overmanning and improve working practices. I am encouraged by the progress which has been made so far and look forward to the effective implementation by LRT of the further measures which it has in hand.

The commission was critical of LTE's complex industrial relations structure which it identified as a source of inflexibility and reluctance to change. It commented on the need for management to adopt a much more positive approach to the management of change. I am pleased to note that LRT accepts this criticism. While recognising the need for a sensitive approach which commands general consent, I expect to see substantial progress in this area.

I am grateful to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission for this thorough and constructive report, which is already leading to considerable improvements in the efficiency of the bus maintenance activities which are now the responsibility of LRT.