asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the total costs of administering the London Underground penalty fares regime, with a detailed breakdown of such costs, including such costs as those borne by the London Regional Passengers Committee in dealing with representations concerning penalty fares. [HL3183]

It is estimated that the total overall costs of administering the London Underground penalty fares regime in the financial year 1998–99 is as follows:The cost to the London Regional Passengers Committee of considering representations, £20–25,000.The costs incurred by London Underground in the consideration of penalty fare cases including the associated computer contract is £1.65 million. This figure does not include the costs of revenue protection staff for whom the issue of penalty fare notices is but part of their overall responsibility.

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether their review of the London Underground penalty fares regime will include a review of the criteria for levying penalty fares. [HL3241]

Yes. The review looked at a number of issues including the criteria.

asked Her Majesty's Government:When the review of the London Underground penalty fares appeals procedure will be announced; whether the details of this review, in particular the criteria for the judgment of appeals against penalty fares, will be made public; and whether a copy of the report of the review including such criteria will be placed in the Library of the House. [HL3182]

A copy of the report of the review, including the appeals criteria, has been placed in the Library.