asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received a reply to his recent letter to the leader of the Greater London Council concerning the preparation of a plan for improving services and reducing fares on London Transport.

Yes. In his reply of 20 May, Mr. Livingstone said that the GLC was preparing a plan. I look forward with interest to seeing how realistic and balanced the proposals in this will prove to be and how they make best use of the substantial level of subsidy that the Government believe to be reasonable for London's public transport system.

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has given further consideration to transferring responsibility for London Transport from the Greater London Council.

I am considering a number of options for the re-organisation of transport in London, and I look forward to seeing the findings of the Select Committee on Transport shortly. The GLC has told me that it is pressing ahead with the preparation of its transport policies and programme document. The extent to which it tackles seriously in this the provision of a balanced plan based on the considerable level of resources I have indicated can be made available will be a significant measure of its capacity to discharge the responsibilities it has for meeting London's transport needs.