TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF KING'S CROSS FIRE AND FUTURE OF LONDON UNDERGROUND

That this House remembers that on 18th November 1987, a fire at King's Cross Underground Station led to the loss of 31 lives and sends its condolences to the families and friends of victims involved in the tragedy; welcomes the continuation of the ú500 million annual investment in improving the existing London Underground infrastructure, particularly the escalator replacement programme; recognises that the safety of the 800 million passenger journeys made annually has to remain a top priority for the Government; welcomes the Government's commitment to address the Underground's investment needs so that it can play a full role in the capital's integrated public transport network; opposes the wholesale privatisation of the Underground as proposed by the previous Government; pays tribute to all London Underground staff who do an excellent job in difficult circumstances; urges the Government to prioritise the Underground in a bid to make London a world-class capital city; and looks forward to seeing the Government's proposals for the future of the Underground.