§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the bodies represented on a project team to investigate engineering, environmental and financial aspects of the proposed Silvertown to Woolwich rail tunnel; who is responsible for its chairing and administration; to whom it will report; what bodies will need to give consent to any recommendations of the project team; and what is the planned timetable for its operation and subsequent activities. [24577]
§ Mr. NorrisBritish Rail, Railtrack, London Transport and the London Docklands development corporation are jointly undertaking a study into the feasibility of the scheme for a rail tunnel between Silvertown and Woolwich. It is hoped that the results of the study will be put to me soon, with a view to a subsequent public report. I shall consider their recommendations carefully, especially with regard to the scope for private finance, the case for and affordability of any public funding, and whether powers should be sought. There is, as yet, no firm timetable.