Written question asked by Baroness Hoey (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 February 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 February 2006. It was answered by Karen Buck (Labour) on Monday, 13 February 2006 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Commission for Integrated Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of whether there is a potential conflict of interest between the chairmanship of his Commission for Integrated Transport and the role of Transport for London Commissioner.

Answer: The role of the Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) is focussed on future strategic issues and best practice at a national level, so I am satisfied that there is no general conflict of interest. I believe CfIT benefits from the added value of such a senior figure as Chair. However, in the event that CflT's work was to impinge on TfL's responsibilities the Chair has made it clear that he would declare an interest and if necessary excuse himself from that work. There are many other commissioners and a Vice Chair of CfIT who in that case would have no conflict.

Secondary information