§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason, and on what basis, a document has been drawn up by his Department purporting to lay out a timetable for the consideration by the House of the Channel Tunnel Bill; what criteria were used and what assumptions made in the choice of dates contained in the document, with particular reference to the duration of the proceedings of any Select Committee to which the Bill 108W may be committed; to whom this document has been issued; if he will place a copy in the Library; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe document referred to is entitled "Channel Tunnel Bill: Possible Timetable". It was prepared as an internal working document for planning purposes on the basis outlined in the Channel fixed link White Paper (Cmnd. 9735) that the Bill would he introduced in the spring with the aim of obtaining Royal Assent in the early summer of 1987. The dates included in the document are guesses. The actual timetable will, of course, be determined by Parliament. The document was made available to assist the Kent Channel Tunnel Joint Consultative Committee in planning its work. I am placing a copy in the Library.