§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) when he was first made aware by Eurotunnel that commencement of freight and passengers services through the channel tunnel would be delayed beyond 7 March and 6 May; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what information was supplied to him by Eurotunnel about possible delays in opening the tunnel by its published deadlines of 7 March for freight and 6 May for passengers, before he agreed to extend the channel tunnel concession period for a further 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
(3) if he will list the commissioning programmes and commissioning tests which have to be repeated or rescheduled before opening of the channel tunnel can take place; what information Eurotunnel has supplied to him about the likely additional time which will be needed for commissioning locomotives; what plans he has to meet with Eurotunnel to discuss the further delays in opening of the channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe probability of delay became clear at meetings between United Kingdom and French officials and Eurotunnel in January. Those contacts are continuing to cover the timing and content of outstanding commissioning tests for fixed equipment and rolling stock. Public statements about the programme can have commercial importance and financial consequences, and I think it should continue to be for Eurotunnel to make them.