§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish a full list of all statements made by Ministers in his Department, and/or press notices issued by his Department, which referred to a possible completion date for the channel tunnel rail link, the dates on which each such statement was made, and the possible completion date which was mentioned.
§ Mr. FreemanThe list is as follows
18 May 1990The Minister for Public Transport, in debate on private Members' motion, at column 1179I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Kent (Mr. Rowe), who sought to put this debate in the context of the channel tunnel opening in three years' time and a rail link being a decade away, even with the fastest possible agreement on the route, and its design and structure.9 October 1991Press Notice—from text of a letter by the right hon. and learned Member for Edinbugh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind) to Sir Bob ReidInevitably, the start of a construction of the rail link is some way ahead. On present forecasts, existing capacity is not expected to be exhausted until around 2005. It means account can be taken of demand for rail services through the Channel Tunnel once it opens. This will help to give a more precise view of when the extra capacity of the new line might be needed.14 October 1991Statement by the right hon. and learned Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands, at columns 25–26Inevitably, the start of construction is still some way ahead; but so is the need for the line. BR's own forecasts are that the capacity of the existing network is expected to be sufficient to meet the demand until around 2005. It will be possible to take account of the actual demand for rail services through the Channel Tunnel, once it opens. Overall, the choice of the eastern route rather than the southern route will not have any material effect on when the new line might come into operation. Suggestions that a decision has been taken not to begin construction before 2000 are incorrect. No such decision has been taken.22 March 1993Statement by Secretary of State for Transport, at column 611605WProvided that we press ahead quickly, it should be possible for the railway to be completed by around the turn of the decade.23 November 1993PQ by hon. Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims)Q: "To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he now expects construction of the Channel Tunnel Fast Link to commence.A: "Construction is expected to begin shortly after the enactment of a hybrid Bill, which the Government aim to have ready by autumn 1994; the Bill's introduction will depend upon the parliamentary timetable and the private sector's views.