Channel Tunnel (Hansard, 19 December 1988)

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what studies have been carried out by his Department about the vulnerability of industrial companies based in Scotland to competition from other industries based in the south of England once the Channel tunnel comes into operation.

§ Mr. Lang
My right hon. and learned Friend, the Secretary of State has had meetings with the chairman of the British Rail Board on how to ensure that Scotland benefits fully from the Channel tunnel. British Rail are taking the views of a range of interested parties in Scotland84W including the CBI, STUC and relevant public sector organisations. The Scottish Development Agency has commissioned a report from consultants to consider the likely impact of the Channel tunnel on Scotland and ways in which the potential benefits can be maximised.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to ensure that Scottish industry is served by fast and efficient rail services between Scotland and the Channel tunnel when it becomes operational; and if he will make a statement.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has had meetings with the chairman of the British Rail Board on how to ensure that Scotland benefits fully from the Channel tunnel. The Scottish Development Agency has commissioned a report from consultants to consider the likely impact of the Channel tunnel on Scotland and ways in which the potential benefits can be maximised.

§ Mr. Wray
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with Scottish industrialists, trade unions and local authorities regarding the need to ensure that Scotland has reliable railway connections with the continent once the Channel tunnel comes into operation.

§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton
Section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act requires British Rail to publish a plan by the end of 1989 setting out its proposals for international rail services through the tunnel. British Rail is consulting widely with interested parties in the regions over the preparation of this plan. In addition to this, in June this year, the Scottish Office organised jointly with ScotRail and the Confederation of British Industry a very successful conference on the opportunities which the tunnel could offer Scotland. A wide range of interested parties attended this conference and took part in the open forum including my hon. Friend the Minister for industry in Scotland.