§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has taken any decisions on British Rail's proposal for a new rail link between London and the Channel tunnel.
§ Mr. PortilloI welcome the fact that blight has now been removed from large stretches of Kent; that British Rail's intentions on compensation and the alleviation of blight have been made clear; and that in formulating its route proposal British Rail has clearly been guided by the environmental criteria set out by Kent county council. The Government will need to consider between now and 631W November whether they will support the introduction of a private Bill by British Rail for the necessary powers to construct and operate the proposed route.
In reaching our decision, we shall be considering two main factors. First, we shall need to be satisfied that the route has been subjected to a full environmental assessment and that any Bill can be accompanied by a satisfactory environmental statement. Secondly, we shall want to satisfy ourselves that British Rail investment would be likely within a reasonable time to earn a proper commercial return. This means that British Rail will need to consider further the uncertainties about the traffic forecasts, the costs of the project and the revenues. In doing so, it will be considering proposals from the private sector for building and financing the line.