§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, further to his meeting with representatives of the North of England Regional Consortium, he has referred to British Rail for investigation the suggestions made to him in relation to improvements in the rail 2W network in the regions leading to the proposed Channel fixed link, to the introduction of a single-fare zone for freight and to the provision of immigration and customs facilities in each of the three regions in the north of England; and when he expects to receive the views of British Rail for further discussion with the consortium.
§ Mr. RidleyMy hon. Friend the Minister of State, Department of Transport, wrote to British Rail on 14 March about the suggestions made to him by the North of England Regional Consortium at its recent meeting. He hopes to receive British Rail's views on those suggestions shortly.
§ Mr. Gryllsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if the scope of discussion of the consultative committee between the Government and local authorities, referred to in paragraph 48 of the White Paper on the Channel fixed link, Cmnd. 9735, will include the option of a road tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellNo. As defined by article 1 of the Channel fixed link treaty, the link is to be a
twin bored tunnel rail link, with associated service tunnel".The terms of reference of the joint consultative committee are:To consider all matters of concern to Kent in relation to the Channel Tunnel project with a view to minimising adverse impacts and turning to best advantage its potential to make a positive contribution for the benefit of the County".