HL Deb 10 June 1997 vol 580 cc71-2WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Eurostar night sleeper trains are likely to enter service, and if so on what routes, and with which operator(s); and

What plans there are for the disposal of the Eurostar night sleeper trains in the event of their not being used for the cross-Channel sleeper services for which they were built.

Baroness Hayman

These are matters for the operators, European Night Services Ltd. I understand that the company is conducting a commercial review of these services.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in respect of the Eurostar night sleeper trains, they will state who ordered them and when, who funded their construction, their likely completion date and their current ownership.

Baroness Hayman

This rolling stock was ordered by European Night Services Ltd. (ENS), a joint venture company comprising Eurostar (UK) Ltd., SNCF, DB and NS. At the time the stock was ordered, Eurostar (UK) Ltd. (then known as European Passenger Services Ltd.) was a subsidiary of the British Railways Board. Construction of the stock is being funded by way of a commercial lease. The completion date is a contractual matter for ENS and the manufacturers, Metro Channel. ENS still has the same shareholders but Eurostar (UK) Ltd. has now been transferred to London and Continental Railways Ltd. as part of the Channel Tunnel rail link project.