§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to inform himself as to progress in the negotiations between British Rail and Eurotunnel on the financing of the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellBoth British Rail and Eurotunnel are keeping me informed of the progress of these negotiations, which I am satisfied are being handled on a purely commercial basis.
69W
§ Mr. Wattsasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether Parliament will be informed if advice from the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, or from its British delegation, is being disregarded.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Channel fixed link treaty gives the Safety Authority the right to make reports directly to the Government. The Government have assured the Select Committee on the Channel Tunnel Bill in another place (Minutes of Evidence, Monday 6 April, page 28, second column) that should the Safety Authority bring to the attention of the Secretary of State a fundamental disagreement on an important issue of public safety between itself and the Intergovernmental Commission, or should the United Kingdom delegation to the Safety Authority notify a similar disagreement between themselves and their French counterparts, the Secretary of State will report that fact to Parliament.