HC Deb 25 March 1968 vol 761 cc203-4W
Mr. Cordle

asked the Minister of Transport when the Channel Tunnel opens in 1975 or earlier, how many of the ferries, aircraft and hovercraft then operating she estimates will go out of business.

Mr. John Morris

The Channel Tunnel is not expected to be open earlier than 1975. The design and construction period will in any case be of sufficient length to enable operators of other types of cross-Channel transport to plan ahead for a phased withdrawal of equipment or for its transfer to other routes. The exact extent of such withdrawals and transfers will be a matter for the operators themselves in the light of further traffic studies to be carried out over the next few years.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the financial proposals regarding the Channel Tunnel now being considered require guarantees of interest payments from public funds.

Mr. John Morris

Details of the financing proposals are confidential to the British and French Governments.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Minister of Transport what she estimates to be the approximate cost in foreign exchange of interest payments for the Channel Tunnel in each year from 1975 to 1995; and what is the approximate annual interest value, at eight per cent., of the balance to be raised in Great Britain.

Mr. John Morris

Since the proportions of the Channel Tunnel capital to be raised in sterling and foreign currencies have yet to be determined, no estimate of the relative servicing costs can be given.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Minister of Transport what study she has made of risk factors and safety proposals regarding the Channel Tunnel.

Mr. John Morris

The results of preliminary studies by British and French officials to establish the engineering feasibility of a Channel Tunnel were published in 1963 (Cmnd. 2137, Chapter 3). The drawing up of final specifications and operating procedures will be a matter for the bodies set up to construct and operate the tunnel subject to approval by the two Governments, who will, of course, demand appropriate safety standards.

Mr. Cordle

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in considering the project, her Department has made allowance for the heating effect of trains in the Channel Tunnel and the necessary air flow to carry this away at peak periods.

Mr. John Morris

Yes.