HC Deb 17 October 1990 vol 177 cc823-4W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he was consulted by the European Investment Bank over its decision to provide further loan finance to the channel tunnel project; and if he will make a statement.

In addition, two centrally provided youth treatment centres are available. St. Charles YTC at Brentwood, Essex opened in 1971 and Glenthorne YTC in Birmingham opened in 1978.

Mr. Freeman

Under the EIB statute, the bank is obliged to consult the host Government before making a loan to any project. As is the case with all proposed loans to projects in the United Kingdom, the Government were consulted on a further loan for the channel tunnel project.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if it remains the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to engage in the provision of public funding for the channel tunnel project.

Mr. Freeman

Yes. Section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 specifically prohibits the provision of Government funds or guarantees for the project.