§ 13. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the security provisions being planned for the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellThis subject is being taken very seriously by the two Governments and the concessionaires. However, for obvious reasons, I cannot make the details public.
§ Mr. TaylorIs the Minister aware of the immense public concern at the possibility that the tunnel will be an open invitation for those appalling terrorist groups which seek to draw attention to themselves by committing outrages? How will it be possible for every vehicle to be inspected and X-rayed when, according to the chairman—still—of the Eurotunnel Lord Pennock, such a machine has not yet been invented?
§ Mr. MitchellEurotunnel has been proposing various arrangements to the Government, but it will be for the Government to examine those arrangements and to decide whether they are satisfactory.
§ Mr. Donald StewartDoes the Minister accept that security should include the safety of the public and that there is much disquiet about the fact that drivers will have to remain with their vehicles and that the tunnel might turn out to be the longest crematorium in the world?
§ Mr. MitchellSafety, is, of course, a prime question. There is long experience in Switzerland of drivers remaining with their vehicles and there being no serious incidents such as the right hon. Gentleman fears.