Channel Tunnel

HC Deb 23 November 1966 vol 736 cc1381-3

33. Mr. John Lee

asked the Minister of Transport if she will now make a statement on the prospects for the making of the Channel Tunnel.

34. Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Transport if she proposes that the United Kingdom share in the construction of the Channel Tunnel shall be partly, mainly or exclusively financed by private capital; and if she will make a statement.

46. Mr. Wall

asked the Minister of Transport if she will make a statement on the construction of the Channel Tunnel.

58. Mr. Murray

asked the Minister of Transport whether she will make a statement on her recent discussions with the French Government on the proposed Channel Tunnel.

Mrs. Castle

I would refer to the reply given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Dearne Valley (Mr. Edwin Wainwright) on 2nd November.—[Vol. 735, c. 119–1919320.]

Mr. Lee

Is my right hon. Friend aware that even some of us who are hostile to the entry of Britain into the Common Market regard this as extremely important? Is she aware that there have been deliberations about the Channel Tunnel for nearly a hundred years?

Mrs. Castle

Yes, I am, and I am glad that at last this Government, as on other fronts, are taking some action.

Mr. Biffen

In view of the many claims on public expenditure which will arise from socially desirable projects over the next few years, will not the right hon. Lady take this occasion to assert that she will regard favourably the proposition that this form of expenditure shall be primarily financed by private capital?

Mrs. Castle

I stated in my reply of 2nd November that it is very much for the reasons which the hon. Gentleman has advanced that we have agreed with the French Government that, although the Channel Tunnel shall be operated by a public authority, its construction shall be largely financed by private capital.

Mr. Murray

Would my right hon. Friend take note that some of us are a little disturbed that this will be private investment and not public investment, in view of Britain's possible entry to the Common Market? Would she also consider the County of Kent's special claims for extra finance for roads because of the heavy traffic problem which the tunnel will create?

Mrs. Castle

Any entry to the Common Market would not affect the method of finance. I agree with my hon. Friend: I would have preferred it to have been financed by public money, but there are so many competing claims upon our resources that it is legitimate to use private capital for this purpose. With regard to traffic resulting in the southeast of England, I would point out that cross-Channel traffic is increasing anyway and that what we shall have here is rather a diversion of traffic to the tunnel. We are, of course, carefully considering the road consequences.