§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will request the chairman of British Rail to make available to interested parties the documentation being submitted to the inquiry commissioned by British Rail into the alternative routes for the channel tunnel rail link from the North downs to London;
(2) if he will ensure that all parties making submissions to the independent inquiry into the channel tunnel rail link are given access to all the relevant documentation, including submissions and assessments by other parties.
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§ Mr. FreemanNo. It would be inappropriate for British Rail to make available documents relating to an internal study and which is not in the nature of a public inquiry. The results of the study will be published in due course if the project proceeds and there will be ample opportunity for discussion before statutory approval is given for a new line.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will request the chairman of British Rail to publish the inception report which set the terms of reference for the inquiry by the independent assessor into the route of the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanI understand that British Rail expects to publish soon the interim report by W. S. Atkins on the methodology used by British Rail to compare alternative route options.
§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects the chairman of British Rail to publish the report on alternative routes for the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe) on 21 January 1991 at column35.