Simon Hughes Quizzes Blair On His Commitment To Crossrail

12.00.00am GMT Wed 29th Oct 2003

Liberal Democrat Mayoral candidate Simon Hughes MP today quizzed the Prime Minister on whether his Government intended to axe Crossrail or provide it with the full support of Government.

In Prime Ministers Questions, Simon Hughes asked if Tony Blair would give his personal vote of confidence to Crossrail so that private sector businesses would then feel confident that they could invest in the project.

Mr Hughes said:- "With congestion increasing on London's underinvested and overstrained train and tube lines, it is vital that the Crossrail project is given the green light by Government as soon as possible."

"London is one of the few cities in Europe without an integrated transport system that gets passengers from east to west or north to south leaving many people stranded in the centre."

"Until Mr Blair, Mr Brown and Mr Darling stop their delays and dithering, then investors will fail to come forward and will leave any possible completion date later and later."

ENDS

Notes to editors

Mr Hughes had Question 2 of Prime Ministers Questions (today) Wednesday 29th October 2003. In it he asked:-

"On a day when there is so much interest in votes of confidence, will the PM clarify the Governments policy on another matter that may be of more relevance to the future success of our capital city."

"Will he now expressly deny the accuracy of this weeks headlines that the Crossrail scheme faces the Government axe, and will he now give his personal vote of confidence to Crossrail so the private sector can respond in the certain knowledge that the Government wants the scheme to go ahead."

(check upon publishing of Hansard transcript on Thursday 30th October 2003 at <http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmhansrd.htm>). The full response to Mr Hughes question from Mr Blair can also be found at this weblink.