Hoon must clarify Government's C-Charge position - Leech

2.36.03pm GMT Wed 12th Nov 2008

As the congestion charge referendum draws closer, John Leech MP is pressing the Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon MP for answers.

Mr Leech has previously written to Geoff Hoon asking for assurances that should the people of Greater Manchester vote 'no', the £1.5 billion promised by the government for transport improvements will still be available if transport chiefs put together an improved package.

Comments made by the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, have indicated that this is the case, but Labour council leaders still seem to be suggesting that the money is contingent on a 'yes' vote.

Mr Leech, who is the Lib Dem's Shadow Transport Spokesman said:

"Time is fast running out for people to make up their minds about the congestion charge, so it's more important than ever that they have access to all the information they need."

'The Labour Government and city council are sending out mixed messages, and Geoff Hoon still hasn't given me a response, so I have written to him again. People need to be given a clear answer before it is too late."

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Notes to editors:

1) John Leech is the Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Spokesman and a member of the Transport Select Committee

2) The congestion charge referendum will take place by postal ballot between 28th November and 11th December 2008, inclusive.

3) John Leech MP asked Gordon Brown about the referendum at Prime Minister's Questions on November 5th:

Mr. Leech: Over the next few weeks, the residents of Greater Manchester will have the opportunity to vote in the referendum on introducing congestion charging in return for £1.5 billion Government investment in public transport. Many people support road pricing but do not support the scheme. Will the Prime Minister ensure that in the event of a "No" vote the people of Greater Manchester will have the opportunity to come back with an improved scheme without the concern that the Government might take the money away?

The Prime Minister: […] In the event of a "No" vote, it would be up to Greater Manchester authorities to decide whether they wanted to do further work on the proposals. The Government are in principle prepared to contribute, as he has said, up to £1.5 billion towards the Greater Manchester package, but that is dependent on the broad scope and nature of the package remaining the same. If Greater Manchester came back with a revised proposition, we would need to assess it on its merits.