§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what information he has received from the Eurostar consortium regarding the viability of direct Eurostar services from West Coast Main Line stations north of Watford to mainland Europe; [68847]
(2) what assessment he has made of the possible use of public subsidy to support direct Eurostar services from the West Coast Main Line to mainland Europe; [68848]
(3) what plans he has to invite other service providers to submit proposals for direct Eurostar services from the West Coast Main Line to mainland Europe. [68849]
§ Dr. ReidMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister received a report from Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd. (ICRR), the consortium appointed by London and Continental Railways to manage and operate Eurostar, on 13 November 1998 entitled "Review of Regional Eurostar Services". On 28 January 1999,Official Report, column 340, he announced the commissioning of a thorough and independent review. In addition to 632W consideration of a broad range of key elements, this review will address itself in particular to the study completed by ICRR and to the alternative proposals put forward by the Virgin Group. He has asked for a report to be presented to Government as soon as practicable.