§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Prime Minister (1) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards the extent to which the restrictions on Ministers, set out in clause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill, regarding the approval by them of funds to the concessionaires of the Channel tunnel project should be observed before the enactment of the Bill; and if she will make a statement;
(2) what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government towards payment of compensation to persons who suffer loss in consequence of any approval by Ministers acting in their official capacity of funds for the concessionaires of the Channel tunnel project before the enactment of clause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government have no intention of providing funds or financial guarantees to the Channel tunnel concessionaires for the construction of operation of the Channel tunnel either before or after the enactment of clause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill. The question of compensation to persons suffering loss as a consequence of such payments or guarantees does not therefore arise.
§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Prime Minister to what extent the restrictions placed on Ministers under clause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill regarding the granting of funds to the concessionaires of the Channel tunnel project affect their activities and decisions when acting as trustees or directors of multinational or international financial 462W institutions to which they are appointed solely because of their Governmental capacities, and to which Government funds are contributed; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterClause 2 of the Channel Tunnel Bill would, if enacted, prohibit any Minister of the Crown from providing funds to the Channel tunnel concessionaires, or guarantees of a financial or commercial nature, for the construction or operation of the Channel tunnel. This prohibition would apply whether or not such Government funds for the tunnel concessionaires were to be provided through such multinational or international financial institutions.