§ 11. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current position regarding the proposed Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. RidleyI hope to receive very shortly the report of the group of British and French banks on private financing of the various schemes that have been advanced for a fixed link.
§ Mr. FoulkesWill the Secretary of State confirm that the Government will favour twin rail tunnels of 6m diameter, and not the elaborate bridge and tunnel combined proposal by the elaborate Ian MacGregor?
§ Mr. RidleyAll possible propositions and designs are still open. The banks' report will comment on the cost and financing difficulties associated with each project. We must await that report before forming any judgment.
§ Mr. DoverDoes my right hon. Friend accept that the many groups that have put forward various proposals feel an urgent need for those alternatives to be narrowed down so that they can put more effort into finding the necessary backing for their schemes?
§ Mr. RidleyThere will have to be a rationalisation of the possible proposals at some time. I hope that my hon. Friend agrees that much depends on the ability of the private sector to finance any scheme. We must, therefore, tackle finance first.
§ Mr. AndersonCan the Secretary of State confirm that it is firm Government policy that in no circumstances will any public money be at risk, either directly by subvention or indirectly by some form of insurance policy?
§ Mr. RidleyWe must await the report of the banks. The Government have made their position clear, and there has been no departure from that position.