Tube expansion 'will be completed by Millennium'

Prescott: the Jubilee line extension will be finished in the Spring

The government has rejected Conservative claims that the expansion of the Jubilee line branch of the London Underground will not be ready in time for the Millennium celebrations and has refused to back Conservative calls for work on the line to be stepped up from 16 hours a day to 24.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott promised that the extension would open, 12 months behind schedule, in Spring 1999. He said that all the tracks and tunnelling were now completed and that the last set of trains was currently under completion.

Richard Ottaway: accusing the government of "incompetence" over the Tube expansion

Mr Prescott was challenged during Commons questions on transport and the environment by the Conservative MP for Croydon South, Richard Ottaway, to deny reports that contingency plans were under consideration to bring tourists to the Millennium Dome through the Blackwall tunnel by coach, in case the new line was not completed in time.

The deputy prime minister said Mr Ottaway's "remarks were not consistent with the truth". He continued: "Not everybody will be going (to the Dome) by Underground."

Mr Prescott said the new line would be the "first new underground line for a generation, it will be a very important part of the integration of London's transport system".

Cycling to work

As well as being pressed on the Jubilee line, the deputy prime minister was also quizzed as to why, during National Bike Week, he had failed to join other MPs in the Great Parliamentary Bike Race and cycled to work. Mr Prescott had a ready response.

"I personally flew in from New York. I don't think anyone has thought of cycling in from New York yet."

Mr Prescott's remark provoked the reply from the Conservative benches that "cycling from New York will be a Liberal Democrat policy shortly".

Water price review - 'over generous'

Responding to a question on water privatisation, the minister for the environment, Michael Meacher, conceded that the last review of water prices five years ago was "unreasonably generous" to the privatised water companies.

Mr Meacher continued: "I think that lesson has now been learnt and I do take note of the fact that the chairman of the Environment Agency (Lord de Ramsay) has suggested that cost efficiencies achieved since that last periodic review, plus further cost reductions in future, could fund £10bn of improvements in environmental goals without any bills rising in real terms.

"These are matters the government is now considering." He added: "We have invited views on this issue and we will publish our guidance this summer."