London Underground (Public-Private Partnership) — Lack of openness — 13 Nov 2000

The majority voted against the motion for debate, which read:[1]

This House notes the widespread concern about the viability of the Government's public private partnership proposed for London Underground; further notes that the Government has established Transport for London, which is answerable to Londoners, and whose Director, Mr. Robert Kiley, has a proven track record of modernising the New York subway system and who will take on responsibility for London Underground in due course; deplores the failure of Ministers to include Mr. Kiley and Transport for London in any meaningful consultations about the contracts under negotiation; condemns the Government's lack of openness with Londoners and their representatives about the bidding process; and urges the Government to work with Mr. Kiley and Transport for London with an open mind about what is best for London Underground and for Londoners.

The MPs then voted to replace this motion with an alternative one that welcomed the Government's commitment to the Public Private Partnership scheme.[2]

The relevant documents for the debate were Seventh Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1997-98 on London Underground, HC715-I, printed 8 July 1998, and the Government response Cm4093; and the Fourteenth Report from the Environment, Transport and Regional Affairs Committee, Session 1999-2000, on the Funding of London Underground, HC411, printed on 12 July 2000, and the Government's Response Cm4877.

• [1] Bernard Jenkin MP, House of Commons, 13 November 2000
• [2] Division 327, House of Commons, 13 November 2000

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