§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to meet the National Farmers Union to discuss the route of a proposed high speed railway line to the Channel tunnel and its implications for agriculture.
§ Mr. PortilloNo. It is for the British Railways Board, in conjunction with any private sector partners who may put themselves forward, to plan the route of a new high speed railway line, taking account of all relevant factors. I understand, however, that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is undertaking a broad examination of the effects of BR's proposals on agriculture.
§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has any plans to modify the financial constraints on British Rail to take account of the environmental impact of the proposed high speed rail link to the Channel tunnel.
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§ Mr. PortilloNo. I do not expect the British Railways Board to put forward any proposals for a new line which do not earn a commercial return. Nevertheless, I do expect the board to be extremely sensitive to environmental concerns in developing a proposal which meets this criterion.