HC Deb 18 November 1991 vol 199 cc6-7W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he made of driverless traction systems before deciding to adopt such a form of control on the docklands light railway; and what assessment was made by the chief inspector of railways of the reliability of such transport.

Mr. Freeman

Under the provisions of section 11 of the London Docklands Railway Act 1984 the London Transport Executive was required to submit to the Secretary of State for his approval plans of its proposals with respect to, among other things, signalling and rolling stock. These plans were assessed and approved on behalf of the Secretary of State by Her Majesty's railway inspectorate.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the docklands light railway to discuss its meeting of its quality of service objectives in relation to reliability and punctuality of(a) the bus service and (b) the rail service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

Sir Peter Levene has just been appointed as the new chairman of the docklands light railway and one of his primary tasks is to ensure that the quality of docklands light railway services improves as quickly as possible. London Transport is responsible for providing or securing the provision of bus services in docklands, as elsewhere in London. It has been set exacting service quality objectives some of which it has achieved ahead of the April 1992 target date.

Mr. Amos

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of docklands light railway to discuss the provision of information to the public regarding major changes of routes and the replacement bus service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

London Transport makes every effort to publicise changes to its bus routes in docklands. I understand that, in order to publicise the next major changes in November and December, London Transport plans to place advertisements in local papers and to distribute 100,000 free newspapers in the area. This is in addition to the on-bus publicity and press releases which normally accompany London Transport bus route changes.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which bodies and councils he consulted before announcing his decision to transfer responsibility for the docklands light railway to the London Docklands development corporation; if he will publish the results of those consultations, including a list of those councils which supported and those which opposed the proposal; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 15 November 1991]: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State's reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea (Mr. Bowis) on 12 November. The decision in principle to transfer the DLR to the LDDC will be subject to formal consultation under section 10(2) of the London Regional Transport Act 1984. We shall consult LRT and LDDC, those councils through whose area the DLR runs or will run, and the London Regional Passengers Committee.

Ms. Ruddock

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he plans to introduce primary legislation to transfer responsibility for docklands light railway to the London Docklands development corporation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 15 November 1991]: No. Powers are already available to LT under section 9 of the London Regional Transport Act 1984.