§ 46. Mr. BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the progress towards establishing a public-private partnership for London Underground. [43275]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonWe are working closely with London Transport to ensure that the Public/Private Partnership is progressed as quickly and efficiently as possible, and in a way which delivers the best result for taxpayers, passengers and staff.
Changes have been made to the London Transport Board to provide the new structure needed to meet the challenging agenda we have set for the next two years. Denis Tunnicliffe has been appointed London Transport 516W Chief Executive with effect from 1 June, and recruitment of a new part-time Chairman (and a new Managing Director for London Underground) is under way.
Price Waterhouse and Freshfields have been selected to provide, respectively, financial and legal advice jointly to the Government and London Transport. Competitions for other advisers are at an advanced stage.
London Transport are also close to finalising an enhanced investment programme for the next two years incorporating the additional funding my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 20 March as part of our Public/Private Partnership proposals.