§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what action the channel tunnel safety authority proposes to take against Eurotunnel following the publication of its investigation into the channel tunnel fire; [8]
(2) what action the channel tunnel safety authority proposes to take to ensure that Eurotunnel carry out the recommendations in the report into the channel tunnel fire; and what sanctions are available to the Authority in the event of Eurotunnel failing to carry out recommendations; [58]
(3) what time scale has been given by the channel tunnel safety authority to Eurotunnel for implementing each of the recommendations in its report into the channel tunnel fire. [57]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe channel tunnel safety authority made it clear in its report into the channel tunnel fire that it expected its recommendations to be taken into account at the highest level within Eurotunnel. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister made the same point when he discussed the report with the company's Co-Chairmen. The majority of the recommendations were implemented before approval was given to the restart of HGV services and, as a pre-condition to that approval, the Intergovernmental Commission required Eurotunnel to provide a timetable, satisfactory to the safety authority, for the implementation of the remaining168W recommendations. The safety authority will continue to monitor implementation through the action of its specialist working groups, appointed safety inspectors and at its regular meetings with Eurotunnel.
The Intergovernmental Commission has wide supervisory functions under the Treaty of Canterbury to issue directions to Eurotunnel to comply with recommendations from the safety authority.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which Eurotunnel is fulfilling its safety obligations in relation to the operation of(a) the Shuttle and (b) Eurostar services. [6]
§ Ms JacksonEurotunnel are required to comply with national and international laws including those relating to safe operation. It is their responsibility to ensure compliance or they face possible prosecution by national authorities or action by the intergovernmental commission on behalf of both Governments.
Eurotunnel's organisation includes a health safety and quality directorate whose work includes internal audit to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
The Governments have also appointed the channel tunnel safety authority to advise and assist the intergovernmental commission on all matters affecting safety in the construction and operation of the fixed link.
The safety authority monitors Eurotunnel's shuttle operations and Eurostar services throughout the channel tunnel from detailed incidents reports and regular operational reports from Eurotunnel; from regular reports of inspections from safety authority appointed inspectors; from examination of detailed reports from its specialist working groups on investigations into incidents; from reports on the outcome of safety exercises; and through regular meetings with Eurotunnel.