§ Ms. QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that a direct high-speed rail line from the north-east of England to the Channel tunnel is constructed and in operation by the date that the tunnel opens.
§ Mr. PortilloThe responsibility for planning Channel tunnel rail links rests with British Rail, not the Government. I understand that BR considers that the newly electrified east coast main line will be more than adequate so far as the stretch between London and the north-east is concerned, and that freight services from the tunnel to the north-east can begin as soon as the tunnel opens in 1993.