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Bletchley to Bicester Railway Line
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to evaluate proposals relating to the future of passenger and freight services on the Bletchley to Bicester line. [6604]
Ms Glenda Jackson: I refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 20 May, Official Report, column 49.
Barking to Gospel Oak Rail Services
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to receive proposals for the introduction of new rolling stock on the Barking to Gospel Oak line. [6605]
Ms Glenda Jackson: As part of its Franchise Agreement with the Franchising Director, National Express Group PLC has committed to replacing all of North London Railways' Mark 1 trains currently in use on the Gospel Oak-Barking line with new or refurbished rolling stock by the 1999 summer timetable.
Roads Expenditure
Mr. Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the capital expenditure in each borough on roads in each of the last five years; and what expenditure is planned for (a) the current year and (b) 1998-99. [6610]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
The following table shows the latest information which has been provided to my Department on capital expenditure on roads by London borough councils. The figures for 19976-98 show local authorities' bids for funding, which remain the best available estimates of planned expenditure in that year.
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7 Jul 1997 : Column: 341
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list those bodies and individuals his Department intends to consult before reaching a decision on the future of the A27 Polegate bypass. [6783]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Full public consultation was carried out on this scheme during its preparatory stages. No further consultation is planned for this and other schemes in the accelerated review. The decision will be announced shortly.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will follow principles of freedom of information and public accountability in respect of his dealings with London Transport Buses. [6993]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
Yes. It is for London Transport Buses to decide however, what information it would be appropriate for them to release abut their own activities.
Dr. Marek:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is his policy in respect of standards of service on London Transport Buses. [6994]
Ms Jackson:
I have recently set tough new quality of service targets to improve the performance of London Transport bus services. These are as follows:
| Measure | 1997-98 New targets |
|---|---|
| Mileage operated (excluding miles lost due to traffic congestion)(6) | 99.0 |
| High frequency services--excess waiting time(7) | 1.5 minutes |
| Low frequency services--percentage of services | |
| Departing on time | 74.0 per cent. |
| Departing early | 4.0 per cent. |
| Percentage of Night Bus services departing on time | 65.0 per cent. |
| Customer satisfaction (score out of 100) | |
| Condition of bus stops/shelters | 57 |
| Internal cleanliness of buses | 63 |
| External cleanliness of buses | 55 |
| Staff helpfulness | 66 |
| Bus station environment | 71 |
| Bus station information | 68 |
Notes:
(6) This measure reflects the extent to which bus services are cancelled or cut short.
(7) A measure of how much longer passengers have to wait, on average, than if all the buses ran on time.
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London Underground
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy not to transfer majority control of the London underground to the private sector. [6896]
Ms Glenda Jackson: We have ruled out the wholesale privatisation of London Underground proposed by the previous Government. We are now examining a number of public-private partnership options, in accordance with our Manifesto, to see how we can best secure an affordable, reliable, clear and modern network.
EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT
TECs
Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his answer of 24 June, Official Report, column 443, if he will list the elected members of local authorities who have places on the boards of TECs. [6301]
Dr. Howells [holding answer 1 July 1997]: The following list contains the names of 41 directors notified to the Department by the English TECs as being members of their local authority. A further 119 directors are officials of local authorities; most being chief executives or directors of education. The Department is aware that a number of other directors appointed from the business community may also be elected members of local authorities but such information is not held centrally.
7 Jul 1997 : Column: 343
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