§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
The Question was as follows: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date approval was given to the scheme concerning the rail link to Stansted Airport submitted to them by the British Rail Board in November last; and what progress has been made since the British Railways (Stansted) Bill was committed to a Select Committee in the Commons on 3rd June.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)My Lords, we have almost completed our consideration of the board's investment proposal and expect to be able to announce our decision very soon. The board's Stansted Bill has completed its Committee stage in another place.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, would the Minister answer the first part of the Question, please?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I cannot answer the first part of the Question because we have not completed our considerations.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, am I to understand that the Minister is telling us that approval has not yet been given to the British Railways (Stansted) Bill, which has been with the Government since last November? Furthermore, can he enlighten the House as to when the report on this matter, which is lying on the Table in another place, will be made available to us? Does he anticipate the Government reaching a decision during the Recess?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, I am afraid that the noble Baroness has slightly confused me. I thought that there were two parts to the Question: that the first related to the decision on the financial viability, which we are urgently considering following a revision of some of the parts of the financial elements of British Rail's proposal; and that the second part was in regard to the Bill which is in another place. As it is a Private Bill, as I have previously explained to the noble Baroness, it is not a matter for the Government.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, it seems that I really cannot get any further on this matter. Does the Minister recall that on 16th January he told 1010 the House that this proposal from British Rail was a viable financial project, and yet he has now told the House that the Government are still considering it? Can he tell the House whether, if approval has not yet been given, developments are proceeding on the Stansted rail link without the approval of the Government?
The Earl of CaithnessNo, my Lords. I informed the House in January, February, April, May and June on the progress of the Bill in another place. I have explained to the House previously that there were revisions to the proposals following consultations as a result of the Second Reading in another place.
The Earl of SelkirkMy Lords, can the noble Earl say whether it is proposed that the railway will run from Liverpool Street or from King's Cross?
§ Lord UnderhillMy Lords, can the noble Earl tell the House what advice Ministers or the department have given to the Select Committee on this matter, bearing in mind that on 24th April, in reply to a Question in this House, the noble Earl said that a rail link was not essential for the development of Stansted? Has consideration been given to a facility for passengers and also to the possible overloading of the M.11 and other roads?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, consideration has been given to that. I repeat that Stansted is not dependent on the rail link. We hope to complete our considerations of the British Rail proposals and make an announcement in the very near future.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, can the Minister tell us when it might be reasonably expected that the Government will reach a decision on this matter and whether, if it is reached during the Recess, we will have an opportunity of discussing that statement when the House resumes?
The Earl of CaithnessMy Lords, all I can say on that is that I hope it will be before the Recess. As to an announcement during the Recess and consideration of that announcement by this House, that will be a matter for the usual channels.