HC Deb 20 January 1986 vol 90 c54W
Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what system of public accountability he plans to introduce after assuming responsibility for the operation of the Woolwich ferry;

(2) what estimates he has made of the financial and manpower implications for his Department resulting from his decision to assume responsibility for the operation of the Woolwich ferry.

Mr. Ridley

Provision will be taken in the annual Supply Estimates. Those for 1986–87, to be published in March, will include provision based on costs incurred by the GLC in past years. The ferry will be included in the Appropriation Accounts presented to Parliament annually and subject to the scrutiny of the Comptroller and Auditor General. It is my intention that an agent borough will employ the staff to operate the ferry.

Mr. Cartwright

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what consultation he undertook and what other options he considered before deciding to assume responsibility for the operation of the Woolwich ferry.

Mr. Ridley

I consulted both generally beginning with my consultative document of July 1984 "Reallocation of Transport Responsibilities in London following Abolition of the GLC" and with the two riparian boroughs about future responsibility for the ferry. My decision about the most appropriate arrangement took account of all views expressed to me.