§ 15. Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains the Government's position that no public funds or guarantees will be provided for a Channel fixed link.
§ Mr. RidleyAs far as the link itself is concerned, yes. If the selected scheme were to include a rail element there would be commercial investment by British Rail in inland infrastructure and rolling stock for through trains; and the future roads programme will need to take account of any new traffic generated by a link.
§ 16. Mr. Knowlesasked the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the French Minister of Transport to discuss proposals for a fixed Channel link.
§ Mr. RidleyI discussed proposals for a Channel fixed link with M. Auroux, the French Minister for Town Planning, Housing and Transport, on 18 November.
§ 21. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will give a preliminary indication of the date for commencing construction operations on the English Channel link.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe earliest date construction of a Channel fixed link might commence is summer 1987. Allowing for the necessary legislative procedures in the United Kingdom and in France.
§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the consequences for regional employment of the proposed fixed Channel link.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe consequences of the various Channel fixed link proposals for regional employment form part of the joint Anglo-French assessment of these proposals that is currently under way.