§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last discussed railway services between736W London and Dover with the chairman of British Rail; and what plans have been proposed or approved by his Department to improve the service.
§ Mr. PortilloMy right hon. Friend and I frequently meet the chairman of British Rail, and we discuss a wide range of issues. I have no proposals currently before me which relate to the Dover service.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what financial effect the proposed new rail link in Kent will have on revenue and capital expenditures and the external financing limits of British Rail in each year between 1990 and 2000.
§ Mr. PortilloIt is too early to say. The likely cost and timing of any new rail link have still to be determined.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are currently envisaged as the basis for British Rail to pay the operating company for using the new Kent rail link; and what amounts are expected to be paid in each of the 20 years following completion.
§ Mr. PortilloBritish Rail has invited private sector companies to show that they are competent to bid to become involved in a new high-speed Channel tunnel rail link. The invitation does not expire until the end of this month. It is too soon to foretell what precise financial arrangements may emerge.
§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what studies were carried out by his Department and British Rail into the feasibility and financial viability of upgrading and extending to Ashford and Folkstone (Cheriton) the existing Dover—Canterbury—London rail link as an alternative to the proposed new Kent rail link; and if he will publish those studies.
§ Mr. PortilloThe precedure by which British. Rail identified its possible route corridors for a new rail link to the Channel tunnel was explained in the report which it published in July 1988. Copies were sent to hon. Members and placed in the Library of the House. My Department has not carried out any studies of possible routes; that is British Rail's responsibility. On the face of it, improvements to the route via Canterbury and Dover would appear to be a rather circuitous way of improving access to Ashford and Folkestone.
§ Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statutory provision British Rail has to finance the whole or part of the cost of a high speed rail link to carry international passengers between London and the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. PortilloThe financing of a high-speed rail link between London and the Channel tunnel would come within British Rail's general powers to provide railway services and to make appropriate financial arrangements in connection with the provision of railway services. British Rail will, however, require specific parliamentary authorisation for construction and operation of any new rail link.