§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will ensure that hon. Members are given full access to the evidence of the W. S. Atkins review into the channel tunnel rail link;
(2) if he will place in the Library the full report and findings of the W. S. Atkins review into the channel tunnel rail link;
(3) if he will state the terms of reference given to W. S. Atkins for it to make an appraisal of the alternative schemes for the channel tunnel rail link;
182W(4) what steps he has taken to assure himself that W. S. Atkins was given all information required to make a proper professional appraisal of alternative schemes for the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanAn interim report by W. S. Atkins, a copy of which is in the Library, contains the terms of reference for its review of the objectivity of British Rail's study of route options for the rail link. It has been for W. S. Atkins to decide what information it needed. The results of British Rail's study, which I expect to receive shortly, will be accompanied by the final report by W. S. Atkins, which will be published in due course.
§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps he has taken to satisfy himself that Coopers and Lybrand was given all information required to make a proper professional appraisal of alternative schemes for the channel tunnel rail link;
(2) if he will state the terms of reference given to Coopers and Lybrand for it to make an appraisal of alternative schemes for the channel tunnel rail link;
(3) if he will ensure the full report by Coopers and Lybrand into traffic forecasts for the channel tunnel rail link is placed in the Library.
§ Mr. FreemanCoopers and Lybrand Deloitte was commissioned by British Rail to evaluate the benefits for commuter services of alternative routes for a high speed channel tunnel rail link. It has been its responsibility to obtain whatever information it needed. Its evaluation will form part of the report on the rail link project which we expect to receive soon from British Rail, but in advance of our receiving and considering that report I cannot say what specific documents it will consist of and what documents will be published.
§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek an explanation from British Rail as to the reasons for the delay in publication of the review into the channel tunnel rail link.
§ Mr. FreemanBritish Rail expects to submit its proposals to my right hon. and learned Friend this month.
§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that a full review of the environmental impact of the various channel tunnel rail link projects is made available in the Library.
§ Mr. FreemanEnvironmental considerations will form part of the assessment British Rail are making of the route options for the rail link. They are therefore likely to be included in the material that will in due course be published.