Mr. Robert G. HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements have been made to fund the London dial-a-ride service for 1990–91; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloI am pleased to announce that the Government grant to London dial-a-ride services for 1990–91 will be £8.27 million, an increase of £1 million on 1989–90, or 6 per cent. in real terms. Next year's funding will be some 50 per cent. more in real terms than in 1985–86, the last year in which it was funded by the GLC. In the same period membership has grown by over 80 per cent. The number of journeys made in 1989–90 is expected to be about 625,000, more than double those made in 1985–86. The additional £1 million for 1990–91, with a forecast improvement in the level of efficiency, should result in a 10 per cent. increase in the number of journeys to about 690,000.