§ 50. Mr. GillTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies have been carried out by his Department into whether the siting of a Channel tunnel passenger terminal to the north of central London would assist in bringing greater prosperity to Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State has had meetings with the chairman of the British Rail Board on how to ensure that Scotland benefits fully from the Channel tunnel. The Scottish Development Agency has commissioned a report from consultants to consider the likely impact of the Channel tunnel on Scotland and ways in which the potential benefits can be maximised. British Rail intends to run through trains from Scotland and the north of England to the continent via the tunnel. I am in no doubt that the efficient and speedy operation of these services will be of major importance for the prosperity of Scotland.