§ 2.48 p.m.
§ Lord SWINFENMy 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 whether they are giving any consideration to the construction of a Channel Tunnel.
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Lord Bellwin)My Lords, as noble Lords will be aware, a report prepared by the British Railways Board setting out the results of preliminary studies undertaken in conjunction with the French railways for a single-track rail-only Channel tunnel was published in February last. At the same time, the chairman of the board asked for an early indication of the Government's attitude. The Government are giving careful consideration to the board's proposals, but it is too early to say what view the Government will take of this new project.
§ Lord SWINFENMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for his reply, may I ask whether he is aware that I would be grateful to know—and I am sure the House would as well—if any request has been made to the EEC for grants or loans to be forthcoming for such a project?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, a request as such has not been made, but discussions are taking place at the present time as to the commission's proposals for aiding transport infrastructure investment; but I understand that is still in the initial stages.
§ Lord GLADWYNMy Lords, have the Government ruled out any possible consideration of the construction of a Channel bridge?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, at the moment the Government are looking into the present scheme that has been put forward. They are not looking into the matter of a Channel bridge, and I should imagine that that would be done only if the present scheme were found to he not viable and if there were sufficient interest in a bridge, as such, being constructed.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, we have been told that it is too early for the Government to reach a decision on this matter, but bearing in mind the fact that the earliest date by which even only a single track tunnel could be completed is the year 1985, is it not about time that the Government reached a decision, especially in view of the fact that the longer a decision is delayed the more the costs of the tunnel will mount up?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, I should have thought that that was a matter which the noble Lord might have taken up with the previous Administration, who were in office for a number of years and who presumably did not take further the matter as it then was.
§ Lord MERRIVALEMy Lords, can the Minister clarify a point for me? Am I not right in assuming that discussions were held yesterday, and are probably continuing today and for a few days more, with French experts and with representatives of the Ministry of Transport? Can the Minister say what exactly was the purpose of the discussions?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, at present the French Government's attitude is illustrated by the fact that the SNCF has joined with the British Railways Board in carrying out studies, and I understand that the French Government have given their blessing to the SNCF's continued involvement in the studies.
§ Lord SEGALMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the present issue of a single-track tunnel was never put forward to the previous Government for consideration? It has been raised only since the present Government were elected.
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, I did not know the extent of the previous discussions, but it is interesting to note that the present proposals are to be discussed and taken forward in the way that is now being proposed.
§ Viscount SIDMOUTHMy Lords, in considering the revised scheme, will the Minister bear in mind that eliminating the Cheriton complex as well as the direct London rail link has met most of the objections which sank the previous scheme; that is to say, financially and environmentally? Will the noble Lord also bear in mind that by doing this the revised scheme becomes more specifically a rail link, as opposed to a rail-road link (which the previous scheme was) and that this might very well fit in with the present energy situation?
§ Lord BELLWINMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for that observation. I am quite sure that it is that consideration which has encouraged the institution of the studies that are taking place at present.