HC Deb 27 February 1990 vol 168 c140W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has received any proposal from British Rail on which he might expect to make a decision on the Channel tunnel to London rail link.

Mr. Portillo

Not yet.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to bring forward proposals for a rail link from the proposed Channel tunnel to London.

Mr. Portillo

British Rail and its chosen joint venture partner, Eurorail, announced at the end of last year their intention to introduce a private Bill in November 1990.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had recently on the rail link from the proposed Channel tunnel to London;

(2) when he last met Eurorail to discuss the Channel tunnel link; and what matters were discussed;

(3) when he last met representatives of British Rail to discuss the rail link from the proposed Channel tunnel to London; and what was the outcome of those discussions;

(4) when he last met Trafalgar House to discuss the Channel tunnel rail link and what were the conclusions reached.

Mr. Portillo

I met representatives of British Rail and Eurorail consortium which includes Trafalgar House on Monday 19 February and heard of progress with their work to establish a joint venture.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information his Department has contributed to the development of the Channel tunnel to London high-speed rail link.

Mr. Portillo

The responsibility for planning railways rests with British Rail. My Department has provided information on Government policy and on road plans for which it is the highway authority.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met Ove Arup to discuss the Channel tunnel rail link; and what conclusions were reached.

Mr. Portillo

I have not myself met Ove Arup, but my officials have done so and reported to me on its proposals for rail links to the Channel tunnel.

Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek powers to enable him to commit public funds to ensure the development of a Channel tunnel to London rail link.

Mr. Portillo

No.

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