§ Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the renegotiation of the Channel Tunnel rail link to London includes a requirement for a continuous fast and direct through-link to Stratford, St. Pancras and the West Coast main line for both passengers and freight, and that the complete link is built as one project. [37678]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister on 27 March 1998,Official Report, columns 295–96, in which my right hon. Friend made it clear that the Government require the whole of the rail link to be built. Any revised proposals from London and Continental Railways and Railtrack must establish an incentive to ensure this.
The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Stratford Station and Subsidiary Works) Order which was approved in principle by the House last year, seeks to enable direct services between the West Coast main line and Stratford and the Channel Tunnel. Following the public inquiry, the Inspector's Report is currently with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. Subject to my right hon. Friend's decision concerning the making of that Order, the provision of those services would be a commercial matter for Eurostar (UK) Ltd, a subsidiary of London and Continental Railways.