§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will discuss with British Rail the case for developing an inland customs clearance freightliner depot in the north-west; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThis is a matter for the British Railways Board and its subsidiary Freightliners Limited. I understand that Freightliners already has depots with associated customs clearance facilities in both Manchester and Liverpool.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to what plans British Rail has for the provision of inland customs clearance depots throughout the north of England to coincide with the opening of the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. David MitchellI have no detailed information yet. Under section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act, British Rail is required to publish by the end of 1989 a plan setting out its proposals for services through the Channel tunnel and any proposals for works or other development in connection with these services, including inland clearance depots.