§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what alternatives to the Channel tunnel project's safety committee requirement for video surveillance in respect of last resort use of halons are currently under consideration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Channel tunnel intergovernmental commission, in giving its decision that Eurotunnel may continue development of its transport system on the basis of the principle of non-segregation of passengers from cars and coaches, laid down a number of binding requirements.
One of these is that a video surveillance system should be provided to monitor the interior of the shuttle wagons. Another is that fire extinction measures in the shuttle trains should include a Halon 1301 system or other agent with the same extinguishing capabilities. Halon may only be used either when passengers have been evacuated or as a last resort when the lives of passengers are endangered in spite of the use of other means of extinction.
It is for Eurotunnel to consider how to give effect to these requirements when bringing forward for approval design proposals for further development of its system.