HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 c477W
Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the likely date for completion of the channel tunnel rail link; and if he will make a statement. [14555]

Ms Glenda Jackson

Under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Development Agreement, the construction of the CTRL is the responsibility of London and Continental Railways Ltd. I understand from LCR that they expect to complete the CTRL during 2003.

Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he expects to make the first payment to London and Continental Railways under the agreement under the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Act 1996. [14551]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Government's contract with LCR provides for the first instalment of capital grant to be paid when LCR have completed 68 per cent. of the CTRL by value. I understand from LCR that they expect the first instalment of grant will fall due during 2001.

Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what was the difference between the actual passenger numbers on Eurostar in 1996–97 and the Government's estimate for that period when it was handed over to London and Continental Railways. [14552]

Ms Glenda Jackson

In the 1996 calendar year Eurostar carried 4.9 million passengers on the London-Paris/Brussels routes and in the first nine months of 1997 they have carried 4.54 million passengers. This represents a 20 per cent. increase on the same period for 1996. The previous Government made no estimates of future Eurostar patronage at the time of transfer of the business to London and Continental Railways.