A committee of MPs yesterday examined the government's policies for the Tube.

The transport sub-committee of the House of Commons transport, local government and the regions committee yesterday held a one-day inquiry into the key factors behind the decision to approve the public-private partnership for the London Underground.

The inquiry followed the committee's recent report on London Underground and concentrated on the implications of the recent reports by London Underground Limited and Ernst and Young and the decision making process.

Forum Response: London Underground

Paul Godier, managing director of London Underground, told ePolitix.com: "Delay while the debate over the future funding of the Underground drags on means more decay - and that is the only formula that matters. We simply cannot afford to continue with this uncertainty and delay while we seek to plan a future to create a Tube fit for the 21st century.

"The formula our customers understand is simple: more debate equals decay and more delays where it matters most - on the system. That does not mean we are not prepared to listen. On the contrary we are consulting now with the mayor and Bob Kiley and we will continue to seek to work with them and others to ensure we can go forward together.

"There is unanimity and confidence around this deal among the operators, the financiers and the planners. It is the best way forward and is, frankly, the only real deal in town. Far from being fatally flawed, we see this innovative and far-sighted deal as a means of ensuring the Tube is finally fixed."

Forum Response: London First

Stephen O'Brien, chief executive of London First, told ePolitix.com: "We have suffered over 20 years of under-investment in the Tube and have now had four years of negotiations on the PPP.

"We cannot afford to go back to the drawing board. The PPP has passed the value for money tests. If it also passes the safety test we must forge ahead with the PPP. There is no 'plan B' which can bring sufficient, guaranteed money into the system quickly enough."

Forum Response: Transport for London

A spokesperson for Transport for London told ePolitix.com: "The twenty day consultation over the PPP is a sham.

"Material information is being withheld from Transport for London, despite secretary of state Byers insisting that it would be full and open.

"Furthermore, the value for money analysis is flawed. All Ernst and Young did was look at PriceWaterhouseCooper's work for London Underground."