§ 51. Mr. Sutcliffeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will undertake that no commitment to phase 2 of the Channel Tunnel project will be made until the report of the Monopolies Commission on ferry services is available and there has been sufficient time to incorporate its results into a revised cost-benefit analysis of the tunnel.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. As I explained to my hon. Friend on 4th July—[Vol. 859, c.108–9]—the cost-benefit study was based on the costs of the sea ferries, not current fares. It took full account of possible changes in fare levels from whatever cause.
§ 55. Mr. Topeasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will now produce information pamphlets on the Channel Tunnel for general distribution; and if he will ensure that such pamphlets are written in laymen's language.
§ Mr. PeytonNo. The Government's position on the project was fully set out in the recent White Paper (Cmnd. 5430). I understand that the British Channel Tunnel Company has it in mind to publish material of the sort suggested, while British Railways have already published a brochure setting out their proposals for a new, high-speed rail link and through services to the Continent.