§ 13. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport when next he intends to meet his French counterpart for further discussion on the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. RidleyI have no such plans at the moment.
§ 14. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on progress on the fixed link project.
§ Mr. RidleyA White Paper to be published tomorrow will explain the reasons for the choice of the Channel tunnel group project and chart the way forward to its implementation.
§ 33. Mrs. Dunwoodyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to safeguard the interests of 38W British Rail Engineering Ltd., in relation to the contracts for new rolling stock arising from the Channel tunnel scheme.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe interests of BREL, like those of the remainder of United Kingdom industry, will be best served if it offers equipment that matches the needs of the tunnel operators, or the different national railways. I know that the BRB is already discussing its requirements with industry.
§ 38. Dr. Marekasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he proposes to make available additional resources to British Rail to assist with the financing of cross-London links to connect with the lines leading to the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellI refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, East (Mr. Snape) earlier today.
§ 40. Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a further statement on progress on the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellA White Paper to be published tomorrow will explain the reasons for the choice of the Channel Tunnel Group project and chart the way forward to its implementation.
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§ 43. Mr. Rogersasked the Secretary of State for Transport, following his decision on a fixed Channel link, whether he is satisfied that British Rail will be able to compete successfully against SNCF; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellBritish Rail and SNCF propose to work in partnership to provide a joint passenger service.
§ 46. Mr. Tony Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has made any assessment of the infrastructure improvements needed to the transportation system in the north-west of England for that region to take advantage of the proposed Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Channel tunnel will provide easier access to continental markets for industry throughout the United Kingdom. In this connection I do not see any particular problems arising from the infrastructure of the north-west which inhibit the region from benefiting from the Channel tunnel. The transportation needs of the region are, and will continue to be, constantly monitored. The current trunk road investment programme for the region is of the order of £500 million.
§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Transport if any assessment was carried out by his Department into the public preference for a particular type of fixed link across the Channel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe views of local authorities, other interested bodies and members of the public on the proposals received were invited during the assessment period and were taken fully into account in reaching the decision.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice was given to intending developers of the Channel fixed link about the duration of the concession which was being offered; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe "Invitation to Promoters" invited promoters to make proposals as to the duration of the concession and to justify them; this matter is now under negotiation with Channel Tunnel Group-France-Manche.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if agreement has been reached between the French and British Governments about the duration of the concession for the rail tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe duration of the concession will be specified in the concession agreement which is being negotiated between the two Governments and the promoters.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what indications were given by the promoters of schemes for a Channel fixed link of the length of concession which would be required to make each of their projects, respectively, profitable; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe "Invitation to Promoters" of a Channel fixed link made clear that the Government would respect considerations of commercial and industrial confidentiality in deciding what material supplied by promoters should be made public; it would not be right therefore for the Government to disclose this information.
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§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assurances he has secured from the successful candidate from the fixed link promoters about their availability of finance to complete the project; and what cost of building they have assumed.
§ Mr. David MitchellChannel Tunnel Group-France-Manche provided information about its proposed financing as part of its submission, and it will be for investors to decide whether finance will be available. The construction cost estimated by the Channel Tunnel Group at 1985 prices, including rolling stock for shuttle services, was £2.6 billion.