§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the extent of public liability in the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. [30937]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government are committed to grant payments worth £1.8 billion NPV overall. If London and Continental Railways are unable to fulfil their obligations under the CTRL Development Agreement awarded to them by the previous Government, Eurostar (UK) Limited, its assets and liabilities, would revert to the Government. This would include accumulated debt worth in the region of £400 million, which would be met from future Eurostar revenues.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library the development agreement signed between the Government and London and Continental Rail ways. [31031]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonReasons of commercial confidentiality prevent copies of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Development Agreement with London & Continental Railways (LCR) being placed in the Library. The previous Government issued a memorandum about the Development Agreement and other contracts with LCR in March 1996. Copies were placed in the Library at that time.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the reduction of road freight transport from the North West and West Midlands Regions to mainland Europe that would be achieved by(a) the completion of the high speed rail link from the Channel Tunnel to central London, connecting to the West Coast main line and (b) a scheme between the Channel Tunnel and Ebbsfleet; and if he will make a statement. [31192]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNo such assessment has been made. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link is primarily intended to provide for passenger services, though it would also facilitate rail freight both directly and through freeing capacity on existing lines.