HC Deb 13 June 1990 vol 174 cc188-9W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he has received from Messrs. Eurotunnel details of the inspection procedures which will be made on cars and other vehicles before they enter the channel tunnel; and if, in particular, any progress has been made in providing X-ray machines for vehicles as referred to in the debate on 3 February 1987,Official Report, column 943;

(2) if the intergovernmental commission and safety authority has reported to him on the safety arrangements for inspecting vehicles going into the proposed channel tunnel; and if it has indicated whether it is satisfied with the arrangements.

Mr. Freeman

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Southport (Mr. Fearn) on 11 June at column 62. Eurotunnel's designs and operating procedures in relation to safety and security are being considered in accordance with the arrangements specified in the treaty and concession agreement. Further work remains to be done before final approval can be given.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the latest estimate he has received of the number of vehicles which are likely to go through the proposed channel tunnel each day.

Mr. Freeman

A joint working group, representing the Department of Transport, Kent county council and Eurotunnel, has forecast that an average of 10,000 vehicles per day will use the tunnel in 1993, rising to 14,000 in 2008.

Forward to