HC Deb 12 February 1998 vol 306 c308W
Mr. Stunell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if it is his policy that a revised contract for the construction of a high speed rail link from the Channel Tunnel will continue to require(a) completion of the route in one phase, (b) termination at St. Pancras with a direct link to the West Coast Main Line and (c) availability of the route for freight; and if he will make a statement. [28335]

Ms Glenda Jackson

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions made a statement to the House on 28 January 1998,Official Report, columns 466–74, about the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). London and Continental Railways currently hold the Development Agreement for the CTRL and, through that, have 30 days from that time in which to come forward with revised proposals. My right hon. Friend will make a further statement about the CTRL in due course.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what criteria he will use in awarding the revised contract for the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [28604]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The case does not arise. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions made a statement to the House on 28 January 1998,Official Report, columns 466–74, about the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). London and Continental Railways have 30 days from that time in which to come forward with revised proposals.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what meetings he has had with Railtrack to discuss its involvement in the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [28602]

Ms Glenda Jackson

My right hon. Friend meets Railtrack from time to time to discuss a range of railway infrastructure issues, including Railtrack's thinking on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he had received in respect of Railtrack's interest in the construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [28603]

Ms Glenda Jackson

My right hon. Friend has received representations from various quarters recently about the provision of Channel Tunnel Rail Link, including the possible future involvement of Railtrack.