HC Deb 10 March 1983 vol 38 cc471-2W
Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the report of the consortium of United Kingdom-French banks upon the financing of a cross-Channel fixed link by means of private investment.

Mrs. Chalker

The banking group has recently agreed with the European Commission to extend its study to cover aspects of interest to the Community. As a result it does not now expect to complete its report until the summer.

Mr. John Wells

asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will make a statement on the joint policies of Her Majesty's Government and the French Government with regard to the construction of a fixed cross-Channel link.

Mrs. Chalker

The British Government have made it clear that no public funds would be available to finance a fixed cross-Channel link. The French Government have also decided that the cost of any link should be met from market sources. My French colleague, my right hon. Friend and I therefore welcome the study being carried out by a group of French and British banks to determine whether funds would be available for all or any of the competing link schemes without financial support or financial guarantees from the Governments.