To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made by his Department on the effect of the central London congestion charge on (a) traffic levels, (b) traffic speeds, (c) bus usage,(d) air pollution and (e) road safety; and if he will make a statement. [100533]

We are following the scheme's progress with great interest. However, it is the responsibility of the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) to monitor the scheme's effects. The first annual report will be published in spring 2003, meanwhile a paper on their proposed monitoring, "Impacts Monitoring Programme: Preview of First Annual Report" was published on 4 February, and is available on the TfL website at: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/cc_monitoring.shtml.