§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will estimate the quantity of steel required for lining the projected Channel Tunnel, further for laying the rail track and associated works; and whether the United Kingdom industry and market is in a position to meet it.
§ Mr. Tom BoardmanPresent indications are that the United Kingdom share of the project may require up to 100,000 tonnes of reinforcing steel, 20,000 tonnes of rails and 20,000 tonnes of steel for rolling stock. These quantities should be well within the capacity of the steel industry to supply over the period required.