HC Deb 19 March 1990 vol 169 cc495-6W
Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next expects to meet the Central Transport Consultative Committee: and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

My right hon. Friend is meeting the Central Transport Consultative Committee on 26 March. It was a pity that the report on Network SouthEast did not highlight that British Rail's plans are for an increase in train miles to be operated.

Mr. Evennett

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Central Transport Consultative Committee concerning overcrowding on Network SouthEast services.

Mr. Portillo

I have received its recent report on BR's 1990 corporate plan.

Mr. Speed

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the current investment projects in Network SouthEast which have been approved by his Department.

Mr. Portillo

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport calls in for approval only a selection of projects costing over £10 million. The remainder are authorised by the board. In the last two years, the Government have approved the following major investment projects for Network SouthEast:

Portsmouth to Southampton electrification

324 class 319/321 electrical multiple unit vehicles (for services north of the Thames and Thameslink)

Cambridge to King's Lynn electrification

180 class 165 Networker vehicles (for Thames and Chiltern lines)

400 class 465 Networker vehicles

(a further 276 approved in principle)

(for Kent and inner surburban lines)