HL Deb 11 March 1992 vol 536 c63WA
Lord Mountevans

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have yet approved any order for freight wagons to equip British Rail's proposed Channel Tunnel freight services.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My honourable friend the Minister of State for Public Transport has authorised British Rail to invest in initial builds of 450 intermodal wagons and up to 550 automotive wagons for Channel Tunnel freight services, at a total cost of up to £65 million. The intermodal wagons will be used to carry standard containers and swap bodies in terminal to terminal services between BR's network of regional freight terminals in Britain and key destinations on the Continent. The fully enclosed automotive wagons will enable BR to offer high quality services for the delivery of finished cars for import and export, minimising the risk of damage to vehicles en route.