HL Deb 17 June 1991 vol 530 c2WA
Lord Braybrooke

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they intend to amend Section 42 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 to allow the social and economic needs of the regions of the United Kingdom to be taken into account in evaluating road and rail projects for international traffic via the Channel Tunnel.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

No. Amendment of Section 42 (which prohibits government subsidy for international rail services) would produce unfair competition between rail services through the Channel Tunnel and air and ferry services, which are not subsidised.