§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will seek to negotiate an amendment to the Channel Tunnel Treaty allowing for the annual publication of a comprehensive safety report. [22825]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNo. The Channel Tunnel Safety Authority already publishes an Annual Report on its activities, which covers all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will place in the Library a copy of the report into the evacuation exercise carried out recently in the channel tunnel. [23207]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonA report on the binational emergency exercise which took place on 10–11 January in the Channel Tunnel will be incorporated in the Annual Report of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority for 1997–98. A copy of this Report will be placed in the Library of the House on its publication.
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§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions whether he intends to seek the renegotiation of Clause 33.3 of the channel tunnel treaty which prevents the publication of safety information relating to the tunnel. [23206]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNo. Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement requires the parties to the Agreement, and the Intergovernmental Commission and Safety Authority, to hold in confidence material provided to them. However, Eurotunnel is free to publish the safety information which it produces, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority publishes an annual report on its activities, covering all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety. Copies of this report are placed in the Library.