§ Mr. John Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what information he has received from British Rail in relation to its plans for the new 150 mph railway link between London and the Channel Tunnel.
§ Mr. MulleyBritish Rail discusses the development of this project with my Department but has yet to submit to me its final recommendations for its route.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will confirm that the construction of a high-speed rail link remains an essential feature of the Channel Tunnel project.
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§ Mr. MulleyI would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Speed) on 21st November.—[Vol. 881, c.486.]
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if fulfilment of the terms of the treaty for the construction of the Channel Tunnel requires development works in the United Kingdom for which legislation is needed.
§ Mr. MulleyYes. This is the purpose of Part I of the Channel Tunnel Bill.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will confirm that ratification of the treaty for the construction of the Channel Tunnel will not take place until the completion through all its legislative stages of the Channel Tunnel Bill.
§ Mr. MulleyThat is our intention.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what requirement exists, either in the treaty for the construction of the Channel Tunnel or in the related commercial contracts, for ratification of the treaty by 31st December 1974; and what are the consequences of any delay in ratification.
§ Mr. MulleyParagraph 6.13(iv) of Agreement No. 2 (Cmnd. 5486) entitles the companies to claim that the Governments have abandoned the project if the Channel Tunnel Treaty is not ratified before 1st January 1975 or such later date as may be agreed by the parties.