Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 November 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 November 2000. It was answered by Keith Hill (Labour) on Thursday, 30 November 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 recent decisions he has made about (a) the private sector operating in the London Underground and (b) running the deep-level underground; what consultations he has held on these matters with the London Mayor and the Greater London Authority; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent decisions he has made about (a) the private sector operating in the London Underground and (b) running the deep-level underground; what consultations he has held on these matters with the London Mayor and the Greater London Authority; and if he will make a statement. [136974] Mr. Hill: Some Underground support functions, such as cleaning, are already contracted out to the private sector. We have no plans, however, for private sector operation of core train or station functions, or running of the Underground, as proposed by the opposition. We are continuing to make progress with the public-private partnership, which will leave operations in the hands of the public sector and bring in the private sector to invest in maintaining and upgrading the infrastructure. Ministers have had several meetings with the Mayor and the GLA on the subject of the Underground.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 357 c757W; 136974
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Greater London Authority Privatisation Mayor of London London Underground Public private partnerships Underground railways
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk