§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the role of the Channel Tunnel as a sunken roll-on/roll-off vehicle ferry, whether it is his policy to apply safety recommendations to it comparable to those in Merchant Shipping Notice No. 673, particularly in regard to hazards to the general public from petrol spillage and explosion in confined spaces.
§ Mr. MulleyI do not accept the hon. Member's description of the Channel Tunnel and I ask him to await the outcome of the current studies and assessments. Safety matters will be the responsibility of the operating authority and a binational safety commission and, when established, I would expect them to draw up appropriate regulations to deal with these points.