HC Deb 07 February 1989 vol 146 cc611-2W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the security of the Channel tunnel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

The recent incident in which a journalist gained entry to the construction site will doubtless require those responsible to review and improve their procedures. It would not be appropriate for me to make a statement on the details of the security arrangements.

Mr. Gerald Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities and other interested parties about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Manchester; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement;

(3) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Glasgow; and; if he will make a statement;

(4) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Liverpool; and if he will make a statement;

(5) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Newcastle; and if he will make a statement;

(6)what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Leeds; and if he will make a statement;

(7) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Plymouth; and if he will make a statement;

(8) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Birmingham; and if he will make a statement;

(9) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Southampton; and if he will make a statement;

(10) what consultation has taken place between his Department, British Rail, the appropriate authorities, and other interested parties, about the route for a high speed rail link between the Channel tunnel and Bristol; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Portillo

No consultations involving my Department have taken place about trains beyond London. British Rail is carrying out widespread regional consultations in preparation for the plan which it is required to publish by the end of 1989, in accordance with section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987, setting out its proposals for Channel tunnel rail services serving various parts of the United Kingdom.