§ 55. Mr. David Shawasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that no public money will be used for subsidy to, or for lending to, or for investment in any form of share capital in Eurotunnel or any successor company prior to, during or after the construction period of the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellIt is already Government policy, as set out in article 1 of the Anglo-French treaty on the Channel fixed link, that the link shall be financed without recourse to Government funds or to Government guarantees of a financial or commercial nature. That commitment is reinforced by clause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill which, likewise, forbids the provision of Government funds or guarantees (which would include both loans and the subscription of share capital) to the concessionaires other than funds available equally to others (for example, through the use of suppliers who are in receipt of regional aid).