14. As Arbiter, I have no role in respect of regular monitoring of performance and quality, other than in one respect. The Metronet PPP Agreements provided for an annual reference to me for guidance on whether the infracos had performed its activities in the period since transfer in an overall efficient and economic manner and in accordance with Good Industry Practice or not. In preparation for the 2005 report, which was deferred by agreement between Metronet and its lenders and London Underground, I developed a format for variance analysis which had not previously existed. I have expressed the view6 that the problems experienced by Metronet could have been addressed earlier had I been allowed to prepare the annual report in 2005.
15. In preparing for the Periodic Review of Tube Lines' PPP Agreement, and in particular in developing the framework for internal benchmarking, I was concerned that information from the three infracos was not in a consistent format. I therefore developed, in consultation with Metronet, Tube Lines and London Underground, a Data Breakdown Structure which London Underground and Tube Lines subsequently agreed to adopt for their Periodic Review submissions. Again, this is a matter which would ideally be addressed at the start of a contract rather than having to be developed subsequently.
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6 In my evidence to the Transport Select Committee (op cit).