Ashford International Station (Hansard, 24 November 1992)

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)
My Lords, the Government support plans for an international passenger station at Ashford. Track and signalling are the critical areas where delays could cause disruption once the full international service has started. The recently announced public expenditure settlement should allow British Rail to progress that key element of the project. The details are currently under discussion with British Rail.

§ Lord Thomson of Monifieth
My Lords, I thank the Minister warmly for that positive Answer. Is he aware that the completion of the international passenger station at Ashford, which will take advantage of the full flow of traffic through the Channel Tunnel in 1994, is in many ways a vital test of whether the Government mean to make the most of the advantages that will accrue to the nation from building the tunnel? Is the Minister further aware that if the Government are looking for a major investment which will provide immediate employment in an area that needs it and which at the same time will meet strategic objectives, the international passenger station at Ashford fulfils those criteria?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I agree about the importance and desirability of the station at Ashford. However, the noble Lord will be aware that it is for British Rail to come forward with the final details.

§ Lord Aldington
My Lords, will my noble friend also consider an advantage to the national economy? East Kent is in great need of development. Is it right that one of the many important purposes of the Ashford international passenger station is to help East Kent to develop itself? The area is applying for assisted status and the station is important in achieving that.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I understand the case for East Kent and the desirability of further investment there. I can say that the same applies to Caithness.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, in view of the Minister's statement that the Government remain committed to the Ashford station project, can we assume that it will not be affected by the cutbacks in funding for British 914 Rail? Furthermore, how will privatisation affect the scheme? Will it go ahead and will the Government commit themselves to it? In the event of privatisation who will own Ashford station?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, says that we are committed. That is not what I said; I said that the Government support plans. It is of course for British Rail to bring forward the detailed plans and costings for financial appraisal.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, why are the Government not committed? The station is a great national asset and the Channel Tunnel is part of a great national rail infrastructure. Is it not about time that the Government were committed?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, the Government are committed to a good rail service. The noble Lord will be aware that British Rail is investing more than £l.5 billion in Channel Tunnel services.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, is it not a fact that during previous Question Times in the House and in debating the British Railways (No.3) Bill the Government accepted the principle of the station at Ashford? Will not people be astounded to hear that the Government are not committed to it?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I am sorry if I misunderstood the noble Lord. I thought that he had accused me of saying in my Answer that we were committed to the station. I was merely clarifying the position.

Lord Morris
My Lords, following on from the question put by my noble friend Lord Aldington, and with particular reference to the monstrous irrelevance of the Minister's comment about Caithness, I agree that the station is of vital importance to the people of East Kent. Will it he possible for local passengers to use the facilities at Ashford to travel to London?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I recognise the importance that many people in Kent put on the Ashford station and, as I said, it has the support of the Government. It is now necessary for British Rail to bring forward for consideration a detailed financial appraisal.

§ Lord Taylor of Gryfe
My Lords, while the Minister rightly says that this is a matter for British Rail, will he assure the House that the development will not be impeded by the complicated privatisation arrangements now being discussed with British Rail?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, many issues will be covered in general. The privatisation measures to be brought forward will be of immense benefit to British Rail and to its users. It will continue to produce large infrastructure projects.

§ Lord Newall
My Lords, will my noble friend say whether it is worthwhile bothering about Ashford until it is confirmed that the railway line will go through Ashford?

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, much work has been carried out as regards the details of Ashford. Indeed, planning permission exists. It is now a matter for British Rail.

§ Lord Dean of Beswick
My Lords, the Minister refers to waiting for a financial appraisal by British Rail. Are there not areas which should be developed on a social basis alone? Such areas may warrant more than mere financial appraisal. The Government should have an input in such areas in order to make sure that social structures are retained and developed.

The Earl of Caithness
My Lords, I know that the noble Lord is not advocating that we should not carry out a vigorous appraisal of all public expenditure issues because such appraisals ensure that taxpayers' money is used to its best advantage. Unless British Rail puts forward a detailed financial appraisal, there is not much that we can do.