§ 54. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Transport what is now the average 270W freight rate for Cross-Channel goods; and how this figure compares with the £2 2s. 0d. per ton quoted for the Channel Tunnel by the working group in Command Paper No. 2137.
§ Mr. John MorrisSufficient information is not available to give an average freight rate for cross-Channel goods generally. In any case, such a figure would not be comparable with the figure quoted in the White Paper, which was a weighted average of forecast revenue-maximising charges for the range of goods expected to pass through the tunnel.
§ 55. Mr. Lubbockasked the Minister of Transport what recent studies have been made of the growth of cross-Channel traffic; and if she will now publish revised estimates for comparison with the figures given in Command Paper No. 2137, Proposals for a Fixed Channel Link.
§ Mr. John MorrisRevised forecasts were made jointly by British and French officials in 1966, but these were not intended for publication and would be misleading if published now. Completely new forecasts will be made before the actual construction of the tunnel is started.