HC Deb 22 July 1988 vol 137 cc841-2W
Mr. Soley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the extent to which Customs controls at Waterloo station will cause significant delays to Channel tunnel passengers.

Mr. Lilley

It is envisaged that Customs controls at Waterloo will be based on the quick and effective red/green channel system used currently at major airports. The vast majority of passengers will pass through Customs without stopping.

Mr. Soley

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Customs controls will not be carried out on board Channel tunnel trains bound for Waterloo.

Mr. Brooke

It is intended that Customs controls should be carried out at Waterloo for trains terminating there because this would be less costly and more effective than on-train controls and less disruptive to passengers who might be separated from their baggage on the train. In practice the vast majority of passengers will pass straight through the Waterloo Customs clearance hall without any delay at all.