HC Deb 06 February 1989 vol 146 cc536-7W
Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consultations British Rail will be undertaking with affected individuals and communities following the publication of the four route options for the construction of a fast rail link between the Channel tunnel and London termini.

Mr. Portillo

I understand that BR will be setting out its proposals for further consultations when it announces its preferred route.

Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that British Rail consults fully the communities affected by any of the four Channel tunnel fast rail links options; and if he will set out his criteria for assessing the effectiveness of consultation.

Mr. Portillo

British Rail is well aware of the need to consult those affected by its proposals. It will be for Parliament to judge whether those consultations have been effective if and when it considers BR's Private Bill.

Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to a loan guarantee scheme, underwritten by his Department, as a possible vehicle for providing extra money for British Rail to construct a Channel tunnel fast rail link from the Kent coast to London termini.

Mr. Portillo

None. Such a scheme would not affect the need for BR's investment to be commercially viable.

Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any plans to use the hybrid Bill procedure to progress British Rail's proposals to build a new railway line through Kent.

Mr. Portillo

I have no plans to use the hybrid Bill procedure.

Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received from the proponents the costings for the proposed railway route known to its promoters as Talis.

Mr. Portillo

I have not.

Mr. Dunn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to whether the private Bill procedure will be used in the event of the British Railways Board seeking legislative approval to construct a Channel tunnel high-speed fixed rail link from the Kent coast to London termini.

Mr. Portillo

British Rail has no alternative but to use the Private Bill procedure to acquire all the powers that it needs to construct and operate new railway lines.