HL Deb 14 April 1986 vol 473 cc530-1WA
Lord Mulley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will publish the agreements made between the Channel Tunnel Group, France-Manche and British and French railways for use of the Channel Tunnel's facilities, and the annual charge to be paid by the railways in each case.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)

The agreement is a commercial matter between CTG-FM and the railway administrations.

Lord Mulley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the annual charges to be paid by the railways for use of the Channel Fixed Link were agreed and known by the two Governments and taken into account before deciding to award the contract to the Channel Tunnel Group, and how the charges to be levied by the successful contender compare with those agreed to be levied by the other bidders, for example Channel Expressway and Euroroute, who were offering to provide exclusive rail links as part of their final offers.

The Earl of Caithness

The Government were aware, before the decision on the choice of scheme was taken, that the railway administrations and CTG/France-Manche had reached a basis of agreement which would protect BR's commercial position. The details of BR's agreement with CTG and of those with the unsuccessful promoters are a commercial matter between the parties involved.

Lord Mulley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will confirm that they and the French Government are agreed that no public money in either country will be directly or indirectly available to fund, guarantee or subsidise the construction or operation of the Channel fixed link, and whether they are satisfied that, on the basis of charges to be paid, British Railways will be able to compete effectively and undertake the desired international freight operations without governmental assistance by subsidy or deficit financing.

The Earl of Caithness

The two Governments ruled out all support from public funds or government financial guarantees for the fixed link. The UK Government also made it clear that any capital expenditure by BR would have to be on a strictly commercial basis. BR believe that their agreement with the promoters safeguards their commercial interests.