§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will call for a report from the chairman of London Underground on the number of escalators at London Underground stations currently not in operation; how many such escalators have been out of action during the past 12 months; what proportion each of these categories comprises of the total number of escalators in the London Underground system; why one or more of the escalators at St. John's Wood station has been out of operation frequently and for prolonged periods; what action he intends to take to remedy this situation; and if he will publish the contents of this report in theOfficial Report.
§ Mr. PortilloThe operation, repair and maintenance of escalators is a matter for the board and management of London Underground to whom the right hon. Member should address his questions. However, I understand that the need to take escalators out of service to carry out safety-related works recommended in the Fennell report has been a factor in the reduced availability of escalators in recent weeks.