Written question asked by Robert Syms (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 December 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 December 2000 on behalf of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what discretion the Mayor of London will have as to where the money allocated to London Transport in the 10-year plan is spent.

Answer: Mr. Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what discretion the Mayor of London will have as to where the money allocated to London Transport in the 10-Year plan is spent. [141670] Mr. Hill: The remaining responsibilities of London Transport will in due course be transferred to Transport for London (TfL) under the control of the Mayor of London. The Mayor is free to decide priorities for spending the money we have allocated to London in the 10-Year Plan subject to certain constraints. The Government will determine the precise level of the GLA Transport Grant each year following consultation with the Mayor. The Mayor must consult the London Assembly about his budget for TfL and the Assembly can amend it by a two-thirds majority. TfL must meet all its contractual commitments and the requirements of the Best Value regime. The Mayor must prepare a Transport Strategy which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State may direct the Mayor to revise if he considers it (or any part of it) inconsistent with national policies and detrimental to any area outside Greater London. The Mayor must obtain my right hon. Friend's approval to a general plan for applying the net proceeds from any road user charging or workplace parking levy scheme.

Secondary information