Channel Tunnel (Hansard, 26 June 1995)

§ Mr. Austin Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he expects to be(a) the gains and (b) the losses to the United Kingdom tourist industry from the construction of the high-speed link to the channel tunnel; and what is the expected net rate of return. [29445]

§ Mr. Watts
The Government have not made any assessment specifically in respect of tourism.

§ Mr. Mitchell
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the present estimated capital cost of building the high-speed link to the channel tunnel; how much will be contributed from public funds directly by way of loan or grants and indirectly by way of operating subsidies; what is his estimate of the external cost benefits; and what is the projected annual rate of return to public funds. [29443]

§ Mr. Watts
The Government are currently holding a competition to select a private sector consortium to design, build, finance and operate the channel tunnel rail link. The size and composition of the public sector support, the size of the external cost benefits and the capital construction cost will be determined by the outcome of the competition.