§ 14. Mr. Whiteheadasked the Minister of Transport when he expects to receive the report of the Cairncross review of the Channel Tunnel project.
§ Mr. FowlerI hope to receive very shortly interim comments from Sir Alec Cairncross on the economic aspects of the Railways Board's preliminary studies.
§ Mr. WhiteheadHas the right hon. Gentleman had time to study his right hon. Friend's statement on airports policy, in which it is stated that the Government assume the existence of the Channel Tunnel by 1988 in terms of the plans for the third London airport? May we take it that the Channel Tunnel is now Government policy? Such an announcement, if made formally today, would be widely welcomed on both sides of the House and on both sides of the channel.
§ Mr. FowlerThe hon. Gentleman would be wrong to assume that. No decision has been taken on the Channel Tunnel. We hope to have the preliminary views of Sir Alec Cairncross very shortly. I shall be making a statement to the House within the next four to six weeks.
§ Mr. CostainIs my right hon. Friend satisfied that full account is being taken of the views of local authorities?
§ Mr. FowlerWe have not come to a conclusion. In reaching a conclusion the views of local authorities will be one of the factors to be borne very much in mind.
§ Mr. Arthur LewisThe Minister has said that he is awaiting the view of Sir Alec Cairncross on the economics of the project. We are all aware of the dangers of terrorism. Does he agree that if we had a Channel Tunnel it would be impossible to control it against terrorism?
§ Mr. FowlerObviously that point will be considered, but we are at a preliminary stage in the consideration of the project. If the hon. Gentleman will wait until I have made a statement on the Cairncross report, we shall then be in a better position to look at that specific project.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkIs not one of the two principal objectives and probable consequences of the project to facilitate the extinction of our manufacturing industries, by allowing the products of our industrial competitors to come in more easily and quickly? Does the Minister agree that the other objective and consequence is that it will disguise what the Community will pretend is a cut in our contribution, by giving a grant towards the project that will only further its own industrial purposes?
§ Mr. FowlerI had always thought that the case for a Channel Tunnel was based upon the need for a better transport link. However, no decision has been made and I shall make a statement as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DalyellIf this is not within the terms of reference of the Cairncross report, will the Government consider the possibilities of using steel for a channel tunnel as that could be of great help to the steel industry next year?
§ Mr. FowlerI am happy to look at that point.
§ Mr. John WellsWill my right hon. Friend the Minister consider introducing an early Bill allowing the two Governments involved to do the basic job of digging a hole? That is the most complicated Bill of all, and we need a preliminary Bill at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. FowlerI hope that my hon. Friend will allow me to obtain an assessment of the financial effects of a Channel Tunnel before we consider digging the hole.