§ Mr. AustinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what representations he has received recently from the Transport on Water Association regarding river transport to and from the Millennium Dome; and if he will make a statement; [73528]
(2) what correspondence he has received from the Transport on Water Association since 1998; and if he will lay copies of the letters and his replies in the Library; [73530]
(3) when he first received a copy of the Transport On Water Association's study of the future of passenger services on the River Thames; and what assessment he has made of their recommendations. [73529]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy hon. Friend the Minister for London and Construction received a letter from the Chairman of the Transport on Water Association dated 27 July 1998 asking a number of questions about the Government's plan for encouraging new river transport services on the Thames, including services to the Millennium Dome. I replied on 28 September. As requested, I am placing copies of both letters in the Libraries of the House.
My Department first received a copy of the Association's proposals for a system of passenger transport on the Thames in 1994. These were taken into account, along with other studies and advice, in developing the Government's own proposals under our Thames 2000 initiative.