§ Lord Brightmanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Following the Answer of Lord Brabazon of Tara on 19th March (H.L. Deb., col 20), whether they can confirm (i) that all new-design carriages on the London Underground system will be equipped with internal vertical handrails at the doors similar to those on the Central Line new-design prototype exhibited at the London Transport Museum, and (ii) whether they can indicate when such carriages will be in use.
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraIt is the policy of London Underground Limited (LUL) to provide vertical internal handrails at the doors on all new and refurbished rolling stock wherever this is technically possible. The first refurbished trains equipped in this way will be entering service on the Circle Line by the end of this year, as part of the £91 million programme to refurbish trains on the Circle, Hammersmith and City, Victoria, Bakerloo and Northern Lines. As a result of the additional funding announced in my right 23WA honourable friend's Autumn Statement, LUL will be extending this programme to the Metropolitan, Piccadilly and District Lines, at a cost of a further £150 million. LUL would be pleased to discuss the matter with the noble Lord if he so wishes.