§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will provide details of the statements made by each Minister in his Department during November 1989 which referred to a completion date for the channel tunnel rail link; and what completion date was announced in each case.
§ Mr. Freeman[holding answer 15 February 1994]: Following a further search, I can provide the following additional information:
Question by Kenneth Warren MP, 6 November 1989:To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assurance has been received from British Rail regarding availability for use when the tunnel opens of a high-speed rail link to London from the Channel Tunnel for passengers and freight.Michael Portillo: "In the early years of the tunnel's operation, BR plan to use existing lines, upgraded as necessary, for international passenger and freight services. British Rail and their joint venture partners, Eurorail, are planning to build a new passenger rail link between the Channel Tunnel and London to overcome capacity constraints on the existing network. This new line, which is expected to be operational in 1998, will release additional capacity on existing lines for the growth of international freight traffic."—[Official Report, 6 November 1989; Vol. 159, c. 417.]