HC Deb 29 June 1966 vol 730 cc1768-70
28. Mr. Strauss

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in the preparatory work for the Channel Tunnel; what stage discussions have reached about the financing of the scheme; and if she will make a statement.

101. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the unreliability and inadequacy of sea and air transport, she will take action to expedite the construction of the Channel Tunnel.

26. Mr. Goodhew

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to the Channel Tunnel.

Mrs. Castle

Assessment of the Geological Survey results and writing the joint official report on organisational and financial problems are nearly complete. Further discussions with the French Government are likely soon, but the tunnel is a joint project and I cannot, on my own, anticipate their results.

Mr. Strauss

Is my right hon. Friend aware that everyone will be pleased at the progress which has been made? Can she give any idea about the timetable, of when the work may start if all goes well and, after it has started, how long it will take to complete the tunnel?

Mrs. Castle

As my right hon. Friend has said, very encouraging progress has been made, but, as this is a joint project, clearly there has to be joint agreement on all the details before any final decision can be reached. Even if that final decision were reached, it is unlikely that site work on constructing the tunnel could begin before 1969. Therefore, it would be operational, at the earliest, about 1974.

Mr. Deedes

In these discussions, is the right hon. Lady giving attention to the preparatory work which will be needed in this country to accommodate the enormous volume of traffic moving in and out of the tunnel, work which may take as long as building the tunnel itself?

Mrs. Castle

One of the encouraging aspects of the whole project is that it is to be a railway tunnel. This will enable British Rail to extend and expand fast through services by rail, which should help considerably to relieve road congestion.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the French President has said in public that the tunnel will be built?

Mrs. Castle

I can only repeat that it is a joint project: he cannot unilaterally commit the British Government.

Mr. Hogg

As an important part of the traffic in this tunnel, though it be a railway tunnel, will probably be road transport on flats, will the right hon. Lady not consider the implications for the road situation in the South-East, in the light of this obvious technical consideration?

Mrs. Castle

Obviously, this was one of the first things which we had to consider. One cannot judge the value of a tunnel in isolation from the consequential effects on our road system and the transport system of this country. This has been very carefully taken into account.

Mr. Channon

Can the right hon. Lady go at least this far and give us a definite assurance that we will have a final decision one way or another within the next 12 months?

Mrs. Castle

Earlier than that.