HL Deb 18 January 1996 vol 568 cc4-50WA
Lord Molloy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the construction of the Channel Tunnel rail link is to be publicly financed.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen): The Government have pledged a substantial contribution to the project in recognition of its wider benefits. However, the private sector will drive the project and raise the bulk of the finance. A competition to appoint a private sector promoter for the project is in its final stages.