§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if the Channel Tunnel Unit within his Department is still in existence; how many staff are involved; when it is to be disbanded; and what further work remains for it to do.
§ Mr. CroslandThe Channel Tunnel Unit is being run down as quickly as possible. It has already shrunk from 28 to 13, and will be completely disbanded when it has completed its work making safe and restoring the sites, agreeing the accounts, and reaching a final settlement with the French Government.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the Government are involved in any continuing negotiations or reappraisals with other Governments or commercial concerns with regard to the Channel Tunnel.
§ Mr. CroslandOnly in connection with closing down the project.
§ Mr. Moateasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether all studies by British Rail into rail links with a Channel Tunnel have now ceased; and what further expenditure is being incurred in this connection.
§ Mr. CroslandI understand that the rail link studies stopped following abandonment of the tunnel project and that no expenditure is currently being incurred on them.