HL Deb 01 July 1991 vol 530 cc768-9

2.46 p.m.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty's Government:

When, in view of their increased commitment to rail transport, they will approve the expenditure for British Rail's 188 class 465 coaches and for the Ashford international passenger terminal.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport approved investment of £127 million for 188 class 465 vehicles on 19th June. Further consideration of British Rail's proposals for Ashford international passenger station depends on British Rail's review of its investment priorities in the light of the increase in its external finance limit for 1991–92 announced on the same day.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham

My Lords, I thank the Minister for his reply and particularly for the welcome news about the investment in rolling stock. Does he agree that the recently announced Treasury freeze on British Rail investment will put crippling uncertainty on the prospects for Ashford international passenger terminal and investment which is crucial to our prospects for Europe in 1992 and will cause great uncertainty locally?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, rather than a freeze—

Noble Lords

Reading!

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I assume that noble Lords do not wish me to make up the answers. I shall try not to do so. Rather than a freeze on investment the announcement on 19th June referred to an increase of £400 million in British Rail's EFL, which was an increase of 36 per cent.

The Government remain committed to the provision of Ashford international passenger station. However, in the light of the funds now available to British Rail, and its priorities, it must now consider whether works on the Ashford IPS could go ahead quickly if it were approved.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords, is the Minister aware that what seems to be singularly lacking from the Answer he has given is effective consultation between the Government and British Rail? Does he agree that this is a matter of great urgency? Delay can signal great disadvantages to the United Kingdom. In those circumstances will the Minister indicate the timescale that the Government have in mind for this critical issue?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I must take issue with the noble Lord over the suggestion that this indicates a lack of consultation with British Rail. Many people in the Department of Transport spend all their working time consulting British Rail on such matters. It allows us to come to the conclusion we have reached—to announce the approval of the vehicle's mentioned in the Question. That means that over the past year or two we have given approval for a total of 674 new vehicles for this part of the world, which will give a greatly improved service.

Lord Tordoff

My Lords, does the noble Lord accept that the delay at Ashford is becoming extremely worrying and that, if steps are not taken to start to build that interchange within reasonable time, some ether method will have to be arrived at for dealing with passengers when the tunnel starts to operate in a few years' time?

Lori Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, it is possible that the station may not now be ready in time for the opening of the tunnel. Since the proposals for the station were first outlined, the possibility of the new fast rail link has arisen. That was not thought of when Ashford station was first proposed. That point must be taken into account. I must also point out that the matter is subject to the progress of the British Rail (No.3) Bill which at present is not making any progress in another place.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, does the Minister recall that, when the British Rail (No.3) Bill was before your Lordships' House, we received a special report from a House of Lords Select Committee in which Kent County Council expressed great concern about Ashford station? That was after consideration had been given to a possible rail link and in view of the fact that it was responsible for the approach road to the station. The form of words satisfied Ashford District Council, but did not satisfy Kent County Council. The Select Committee accepted the form of words and it was on that basis that noble Lords, including myself, agreed to accept the report.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, the Bill is now stuck in another place. However, the Government appreciate the importance attached to the station by local authorities and others and we have confirmed our commitment, subject to it being a viable project.

Lord Holme of Cheltenham

My Lords, given the exigencies of public investment in British Rail, may we ask how the Government's investigation of the Ryrie rules is proceeding and what the prospects are for British Rail being allowed to go to the private market to raise capital?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I do not have an answer to that question at present. It is slightly different from the Question on the Order Paper. I shall write to the noble Lord.