HC Deb 25 October 1989 vol 158 cc505-6W
Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport at what stage British Rail will require formal investment authority for any public investment in a new line to meet the anticipated growth in international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Portillo

British Rail requires Government approval for significant expenditures.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by what criteria he will judge whether a proposal put to him by British Rail to build a new line to meet the anticipated growth in international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel is environmentally satisfactory.

Mr. Portillo

The Government will need to be satisfied that BR has carried out an environmental assessment, and that it can provide a full environmental statement detailing the impact of the works and any mitigation measures. Ultimately it will be for Parliament to judge whether any proposals are environmentally acceptable.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any proposals have been put to him by British Rail to build a new line to meet the anticipated growth of international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel that will run from the tunnel terminal to Swanley only.

Mr. Portillo

British Rail is continuing its discussions with the private sector. No firm proposal has yet been put to Ministers.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it remains his policy that he will not give his approval to a proposal from British Rail to construct a new railway line between London and the Channel tunnel if the board's proposals, including environmental protection measures, fail to establish a commercial case for the contruction of a new line.

Mr. Portillo

Yes.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in calculating the rate of return on any public investment in a new line to meet the anticipated growth in international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel, he will take full account of the loss in revenue to British Rail on existing routes arising from the diversion of national and international passengers from existing routes to the new line.

Mr. Portillo

This would be taken into account.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether any proposals have been put to him by British Rail to build a new line to meet the anticipated growth in international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel that involve public sector investment in whole or in part.

Mr. Portillo

The basis of British Rail's discussions with the private sector is that the construction and operation of the new line would be a joint venture in which BR would have a minority shareholding.

Sir John Stanley

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will direct British Rail that, in its discussions of proposals with the private sector to build a new line to meet the anticipated growth in international traffic after the opening of the Channel tunnel, the proposals are to incorporate as a minimum all those environmental protection works that have been announced by British Rail to date.

Mr. Portillo

I have no powers to give such a direction. I understand that the discussions between British Rail and the private sector have taken full account of BR's progress in designing the route, including environmental protection measures.