HC Deb 10 June 1997 vol 295 cc412-3W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library copies of the correspondence between Eurotunnel and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority regarding the decision to re-open the channel tunnel. [2651]

Ms Glenda Jackson

I am not in a position to do so. This would be a breach of Clause 33 of the Concession Agreement of 1986, covering intellectual property and confidentiality, which includes a requirement on all parties to that Agreement, and also the Intergovernmental Commission and Safety Authority, to hold in confidence all documents supplied to them by, or on behalf of, any other party.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if tests will be carried out by Eurotunnel on all rolling stock operated through the channel tunnel to ensure that smoke will not penetrate during a fire or similar incident. [2658]

Ms Jackson

The Concession Agreement requires that all safety arrangements will apply to any trains using the tunnel. The authorisation given by the Intergovernmental Commission bringing the tunnel into service states that Eurotunnel are responsible for ensuring that all trains using its infrastructure meet the required safety standards, including the efficacy of smoke dampers.

The Safety Authority monitors maintenance of all rolling stock through direct examination by its inspectors and working groups and through monitoring audits carried out by Eurotunnel's Health Safety and Quality Directorate.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the channel tunnel safety authority will ensure that the maintenance procedures for the ventilation dampers in Le Shuttle wagons are regularly reviewed. [2659]

Ms Jackson

The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority is required under the Treaty of Canterbury to advise and assist the Intergovernmental Commission of all matters concerning safety in the construction and operation of the Fixed Link.

The Safety Authority monitors all aspects of Eurotunnel's operations to ensure that safety standards are met. This is achieved through examianton of detailed incident reports and regular operational reports from Eurotunnel and by the actions of Safety Authority appointed inspectors and specialist working groups.

Safety Authority inspectors recently witnessed smoke penetration tests carried out by Eurotunnel to verify the smoke tightness of amenity coaches used in the HGV shuttle service.