HC Deb 19 January 1984 vol 52 c289W
Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what are the criteria by which he will judge the acceptability of a road and/or rail link across the English Channel, taking account of finance, likely utilisation and speed of construction.

Mr. Ridley

The main criterion is the existence of a group with adequate financial resources ready to carry a project forward to completion and into operation without guarantees from Government against commercial risks.