§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he decided to use public funds to subsidise the channel tunnel rail link. [19097]
§ Mr. WattsThe then Secretary of State announced on 14 June 1990,Official Report, columns 482–500, that he was prepared to consider a capital grant for the channel tunnel rail link, but that the terms then on offer were not acceptable. On 24 January 1994, Official Report, columns 19–34, my right hon. Friend the then Secretary of State announced in an oral statement that the Government were willing in principle to provide substantial public sector support, in recognition not only of the significant domestic transport and regeneration benefits from the new line but of some of the very large benefits to international passengers.