HL Deb 26 February 1964 vol 255 cc1099-100
THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the largest size and type of lorry which the projected Channel Tunnel will be capable of accommodating.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, Final specifications for the Tunnel have yet to be drawn up and agreed between the British and French Governments. Under the Channel Tunnel Study Group's proposal, on which the Governmental studies were based, the tunnel loading gauge would be sufficient to take road vehicles with an overall height of 13 feet 4 inches, without limitation of length or weight. This would accommodate most ordinary lorries in use in the United Kingdom and in most Continental countries for international journeys. In addition, semitrailers up to 14 feet 6 inches in height could be loaded on special rail wagons.

THE EARL OF GOSFORD

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for his reply, and while agreeing that a large percentage of the traffic requiring to use the Tunnel can be accommodated, the fact remains that there are classes of traffic which cannot be so accommodated. May I ask Her Majesty's Government why they chose a scheme connecting the United Kingdom with the Continent by a means which cannot take all types of traffic, when a scheme for a Bridge that could take all types of traffic is both available and feasible?

LORD CHESHAM

My Lords, I think that if my noble friend wishes to raise the question of Tunnel versus Bridge he ought to put down a Question about it. I shall answer, briefly, that a Tunnel was thought by both Governments to be better, and, in fact, it represents almost a continuance of the status quo regarding these vehicles.