§ Mr. GardinerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what the reasons were for the change in the level of funding by his Department for Transport for London in 2005–06 compared with 2004–05; [149579]
(2)what assessment he made, when allocating funds to Transport for London for (a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) 2006–07, of the investment required in London Underground to maintain services at their current level; [149580]
(3)what assessment he made, in determining his Department's funding for Transport for London in (a) 2004–05, (b) 2005–06 and (c) 2006–07, of the effect upon inward investment of (i) increasing, (ii) maintaining the existing level and (iii) decreasing the level of funding for the transport infrastructure in London. [149595]
§ Mr. McNultyGovernment funding for Transport for London in 2004–05 and 2005–06 is expected to be £2,224 million and £2,142 million respectively. These allocations are based on an assessment of London's transport priorities, taking into account affordability following the 2002 spending review. They also take account of the investment needed to deliver a 12 per cent. capacity increase for London Underground by 2012 under the PPP. This is an increase of over 85 per cent. in funding levels from the equivalent provision in 2001–02, and a significant increase in the overall amount available for investment in transport infrastructure, including an unprecedented funding commitment for London Underground, averaging more than £1 billion a year to at least 2010–11. The overall provision for 2006–07 is subject to the current spending review, which is due to be completed this summer.