§ Mr. Donald Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will outline what new facilities, rolling stock and track will be needed in the British Rail southern region for the Channel tunnel rail link; what are the estimated costs of each; and if he will give an estimate of total extra money he intends to make available to British Rail for Channel tunnel-related facilities and improvements.
§ Mr. David MitchellBR currently proposes that the main items of expenditure will be specialised passenger rolling stock; freight locomotives, terminals and sidings and Freightliner wagons; international passenger facilities at Waterloo and Ashford; track and signalling improvements and connections; and maintenance facilities. BR will consider the investment case for, and the cost of, each of these elements on their commercial merits in the usual way, and whether the returns will be sufficient to service the necessary borrowing.