§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what orders have been placed by British Rail for sleeper train services through the channel tunnel; how many of the train sets on order will be capable of using the east coast mainline; and when he now expects these train sets to be available for service.
§ Mr. FreemanNo formal order can be made for sleeper rolling stock until current negotiations between British Rail, its continental partners and the European Commission on its proposed night service joint venture have been completed. If the order is made soon, the railways hope to start night services during 1995. All of the train sets would be capable of running on the east coast main line although the railways have no current plans to run night services on this line.