§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his timetable for the privatisation of London Underground power generation facilities; what consultation he has had on this; what guarantees in respect of future investment will be required; and what assurances he expects in respect of its continuing reliability. [11081]
§ Mr. BowisThe provision of power supplies to the underground is an operational matter for London Underground. It is currently in negotiation with two short-listed bidders for a project under the private finance initiative which would meet the underground's future power generation and distribution requirements.
402WReliability of supply and the bidders' investment plans are matters being discussed with the bidders. London Underground hopes soon to decide on its preferred bidder.