§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What immigration control arrangements will be made for the Channel Tunnel when it opens.
The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)For Eurotunnel shuttle-train journeys ending at Cheriton, inward controls are planned at Coquelles. For through trains proceeding beyond London, the Channel Tunnel Act provides for immigration controls to be carried out on train subject to the provision of satisfactory facilities to enable the controls to be exercised on those trains and to the payment of any fees or charges that may be imposed. For trains terminating in London, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary has now decided that passport checks should normally take place on the trains, subject to the payment by British Rail of the additional costs involved and to the provision of satisfactory accommodation and control arrangements on board the trains at the stations. These matters are being discussed with the train operators.