HC Deb 03 March 1997 vol 291 cc502-3W
Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has made to(a) London Transport and (b) London Underground Ltd. in the last five years concerning ways in which they could increase revenue for London Underground operation by (i) better marketing and (ii) more commercial use of property; and what estimate he has made of the revenue potential of (i) and (ii). [18346]

Mr. Bowis

Marketing and the management and development of its property are operational matters for London Transport, which recognises its importance.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his oral answer to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) of 25 February,Official Report,column 157, what factors underlay his statement that operating surpluses on London Underground would grow substantially; and what sums he expects to be available for capital investment in the years 2000 to 2005. [18345]

Mr. Bowis

My right hon. Friend's comments were based on London Underground's own forecasts of substantial growth in operating surpluses. Following privatisation, investment will be funded not only from these surpluses and continued Government support, but also from the recycling of privatisation proceeds and funds raised by the private sector. It is premature to speculate on the precise sums involved, but our overall aim is to modernise the underground's infrastructure within five years of privatisation.

Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests were made by London Transport for capital funding for London Underground Ltd. and what amounts were provided from public funds for(a) 1992–93, (b) 1993–94, (c) 1994–95 and (d) 1995–96. [18351]

Mr. Bowis

London Transport submit to Ministers each year their views on their grant requirements for the forthcoming public expenditure round. The distribution of grant by LT between London Underground Ltd. and its other businesses is an operational matter for LT. The cash allocated to London Underground by LT from 1992–93 to 1995–96 is shown in the table. These figures exclude grant for the construction of the Jubilee line extension.

£ million outturn prices
Year Cash paid to London Underground Ltd.1
1992–93 598
1993–94 511
1994–95 413
1995–96 340
1 Figures supplied by London Transport.