§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the timetable for consultation on, and implementation of, proposals for a channel tunnel rail link;
(2) if he will make a statement on the consultation process which he will undertake on the options for the channel tunnel rail link route.
§ Mr. FreemanWe are considering British Rail's report on the rail link options. To publish details of all the routes 563W under consideration could cause needless worry and blight. Once the Government have announced a decision on the way forward it will be for British Rail to undertake wide consultation on the preferred route before embarking on the formal approval process.