HC Deb 06 February 1995 vol 254 cc6-7
6. Mr. David Shaw

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy to specify conditions and limitations in relation to specific types of subsidies which will be available under clauses 30 and 31 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill.

Mr. Watts

The level and nature of public sector support for the channel tunnel rail link will be determined by the outcome of the competition now under way to select the private sector promoter for the project.

Mr. Shaw

Can my hon. Friend confirm that it is not the intention of the Government that clauses 30 and 31 should be used as a means of subsidising the channel tunnel, and that it is the Government's intention that the ferry industry and the channel tunnel should remain in fair competition with one another?

Mr. Watts

I understand my hon. Friend's anxiety that there should be fair competition between ferries and international rail services. I hope that I can give him the reassurance that he requires. European passenger services will be privatised as part of the competition for the CTRL.

We have no intention of subsidising the private sector operation of international rail services, and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill contains no powers to do so.

Mr. Madden

Whatever the subsidies are for the channel tunnel, does the Minister agree that many people were gobsmacked to discover at the weekend that, last month, the Secretary of State for Transport had cut the security division at the department responsible for security on the channel tunnel, airports and ports of entry throughout the country, especially at a time when the threat of international terrorism remains? What on earth is the Secretary of State thinking about by sanctioning such a disastrous cut?

Mr. Watts

No reductions are being made in any front-line security services in respect of any transport mode. I believe that much of the media coverage at the weekend, especially that on television, was visually misleading, in that it showed Metropolitan police officers and security staff checking baggage at airports. They are not employed by my Department; they are not part of Transec.

In the Department, we are considering improving the efficiency of the administration and the guidance and oversight of security measures at airports and other transport facilities. There is absolutely no impact on front-line security, which is one of our highest priorities.