§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the implications for safety standards of the policy decisions taken by London Regional Transport or its London Buses and London Underground subsidiaries since 1983 relating to the improvement of commercial performance.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe primary responsibility for maintaining safety of both bus and underground systems rests with the operators. London Regional Transport is governed by the relevant statutory requirements and the bodies responsible for ensuring compliance. I am happy to report that the corporation's success at meeting its commercial objectives and so reducing the burden upon the taxpayer and London ratepayers has been achieved without weakening the very high standards of safety expected of its services.