§ 9. Mr. Sheldonasked the Minister of Transport if he will make a statement on the progress of the further studies he is conducting on the cost of a Channel link.
§ The Minister of Transport (Mr. Richard Marsh)The British and French Governments have already concluded that among fixed Channel links only a rail tunnel is a practical proposition. New estimates of the cost of such a tunnel will be prepared during the final period of studies which will begin when a financing group has been chosen.
§ Mr. SheldonIs my right hon. Friend aware that the results of those studies will be looked at with considerable interest? Is he further aware that the quality of the previous White Paper was not as high as we had a right to expect, and will he improve on the fact finding which goes into these reports?
§ Mr. MarshCertainly, it is intended that these studies shall be very comprehensive and sophisticated because large sums of money are at stake.