Drivers on the Jubilee and District lines are threatening all-out strikes on 6 and 14 June, bringing misery to literally millions of Londoners. Will my right hon. Friend join me in condemning this action, which will put the passengers and commuters of London in a desperate plight, and call on the Mayor of London to intervene to stop this strike?

Drivers on the Jubilee and District lines are threatening all-out strikes on 6 and 14 June, bringing misery to literally millions of Londoners. Will my right hon. Friend join me in condemning this action, which will put the passengers and commuters of London in a desperate plight, and call on the Mayor of London to intervene to stop this strike?

In my view, there is never a justification for industrial action causing that degree of disruption to the lives of individual passengers and of other workers. It is not fair on them; it is the wrong thing to do. Disputes should be solved through means other than strike actions on our public transport system. However, I do remember being informed on regular occasions by the Mayor of London, when we had the troubles on Southern, that he would be much better at coping with these things because there would never be a strike on his watch. He has already broken that one, because he has had them already. It looks like he will have some more.

In my view, there is never a justification for industrial action causing that degree of disruption to the lives of individual passengers and of other workers. It is not fair on them; it is the wrong thing to do. Disputes should be solved through means other than strike actions on our public transport system. However, I do remember being informed on regular occasions by the Mayor of London, when we had the troubles on Southern, that he would be much better at coping with these things because there would never be a strike on his watch. He has already broken that one, because he has had them already. It looks like he will have some more.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 28 July (WA 257–8), whether they have considered conducting a reassessment, 10 years after the last, of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension; and whether they intend to carry out any similar assessments of...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Kramer on 28 July (WA 257–8), whether they have considered conducting a reassessment, 10 years after the last, of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension; and whether they intend to carry out any similar assessments of...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the original estimate of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension project when it was extended to the docklands.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what was the original estimate of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension project when it was extended to the docklands.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the present estimate of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension project taking account of the economic impact on destinations served.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is the present estimate of the benefit-cost ratio of the Jubilee Line extension project taking account of the economic impact on destinations served.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 11 June (WA 230), whether they propose to undertake a fresh evaluation of the change in land and property values following the opening of the Jubilee Line extension, to complement the assessment of the potential benefits...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Earl Attlee on 11 June (WA 230), whether they propose to undertake a fresh evaluation of the change in land and property values following the opening of the Jubilee Line extension, to complement the assessment of the potential benefits...

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs of construction of the extension of the Jubilee Line through Docklands to Stratford against the subsequent rise in land and property values in the surrounding areas; and what research, if any, that assessment was made on. [HL699]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the costs of construction of the extension of the Jubilee Line through Docklands to Stratford against the subsequent rise in land and property values in the surrounding areas; and what research, if any, that assessment was made on. [HL699]

In respect of private sector contribution to the Jubilee line extension, how much money was committed at the time of the announcement of the funding of the project, how much was actually paid, and whether the amount of such contributions was in any way dependent on achieving a particular completion...

In respect of private sector contribution to the Jubilee line extension, how much money was committed at the time of the announcement of the funding of the project, how much was actually paid, and whether the amount of such contributions was in any way dependent on achieving a particular completion...

The Minister might be about to come on to this point, but does he have any clear view yet as to how the benefits to business from having a station at Woolwich will be quantified in terms of trying to get private finance providers to make the contribution that we...

The Minister might be about to come on to this point, but does he have any clear view yet as to how the benefits to business from having a station at Woolwich will be quantified in terms of trying to get private finance providers to make the contribution that we...

Those are absolutely key points. In addition, in 2009, the docklands light railway will arrive, so Woolwich will become a major strategic hub, even for people living beyond the immediate area, for all the transport networks being developed in the eastern corridor and around the Thames Gateway area. With regard...

Those are absolutely key points. In addition, in 2009, the docklands light railway will arrive, so Woolwich will become a major strategic hub, even for people living beyond the immediate area, for all the transport networks being developed in the eastern corridor and around the Thames Gateway area. With regard...

I hope that London Members will forgive me if I begin with an admission. When I was elected two years ago, I had not given a great deal of thought to Crossrail. I have to say that it is not a subject that comes up often on the doorsteps in...

I hope that London Members will forgive me if I begin with an admission. When I was elected two years ago, I had not given a great deal of thought to Crossrail. I have to say that it is not a subject that comes up often on the doorsteps in...

The contingency at 35 per cent. remains a static figure as a percentage of the core costs. The savings have been made in a number of ways, such as by a review of the tunnelling strategy, and by a review of selective door opening so that existing surface-level stations might...

The contingency at 35 per cent. remains a static figure as a percentage of the core costs. The savings have been made in a number of ways, such as by a review of the tunnelling strategy, and by a review of selective door opening so that existing surface-level stations might...

I congratulate the right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), who has played a central role in ensuring that the Woolwich station has remained on the agenda and has finally been delivered. I echo the comments of the Minister and the spokesman for the official Opposition about the...

I congratulate the right hon. Member for Greenwich and Woolwich (Mr. Raynsford), who has played a central role in ensuring that the Woolwich station has remained on the agenda and has finally been delivered. I echo the comments of the Minister and the spokesman for the official Opposition about the...

May I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Interests, notably my chairmanship of the Construction Industry Council? I welcome today’s debate and the new instruction to the Select Committee in respect of Woolwich. Before I talk about Woolwich, however, I would like...

May I draw the attention of the House to my entry in the Register of Members’ Interests, notably my chairmanship of the Construction Industry Council? I welcome today’s debate and the new instruction to the Select Committee in respect of Woolwich. Before I talk about Woolwich, however, I would like...

This afternoon is a time for congratulations, and I add my appreciation of the work done by the Select Committee, not least its Chairman, the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale). From day one when he received the evidence, it has been clear to me that he appreciated the need...

This afternoon is a time for congratulations, and I add my appreciation of the work done by the Select Committee, not least its Chairman, the hon. Member for Mansfield (Mr. Meale). From day one when he received the evidence, it has been clear to me that he appreciated the need...

I want to put on record my thanks for all the kind remarks that hon. Members have made about the Crossrail Committee. First, I thank my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for introducing the instruction to allow my Committee to examine and report more fully on the need for the Crossrail...

I want to put on record my thanks for all the kind remarks that hon. Members have made about the Crossrail Committee. First, I thank my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for introducing the instruction to allow my Committee to examine and report more fully on the need for the Crossrail...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for bringing me back to the subject on which I was about to focus. I want to ask one question about the overall cost of the project. There was an announcement in yesterday’s papers that it had decreased from £7.8 billion to £6.2 billion. I...

Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, for bringing me back to the subject on which I was about to focus. I want to ask one question about the overall cost of the project. There was an announcement in yesterday’s papers that it had decreased from £7.8 billion to £6.2 billion. I...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. I would also like to add my thanks to the officials in the Department for Transport and at Cross London Rail Links Ltd for their tremendous efforts. Today, we are debating a motion to allow the Committee to consider petitions...

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his comments. I would also like to add my thanks to the officials in the Department for Transport and at Cross London Rail Links Ltd for their tremendous efforts. Today, we are debating a motion to allow the Committee to consider petitions...

I beg to move,"That it be a further Instruction to the Select Committee to which the Crossrail Bill is committed–""(1) that it have power to consider–""(a) the provision of a station at Woolwich, in the London Borough of Greenwich;""(b) realignment of the running tunnels at or in the vicinity of...

I beg to move,"That it be a further Instruction to the Select Committee to which the Crossrail Bill is committed–""(1) that it have power to consider–""(a) the provision of a station at Woolwich, in the London Borough of Greenwich;""(b) realignment of the running tunnels at or in the vicinity of...

I am very grateful for that stricture, Mr. Deputy Speaker—considering that I was nowhere near my peroration. However, I will now cut to the chase. The Crossrail project will be enhanced by a station at Woolwich, provided that this can be achieved without adding to the public funding required. Developments...

I am very grateful for that stricture, Mr. Deputy Speaker—considering that I was nowhere near my peroration. However, I will now cut to the chase. The Crossrail project will be enhanced by a station at Woolwich, provided that this can be achieved without adding to the public funding required. Developments...