§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on what occasions Eurotunnel has asked(a) his Department and (b) the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority to refrain from publishing information relating to the safety of the Channel Tunnel; and on what occasions it has invoked clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Treaty to prevent publication. [25959]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThere have been no such occasions in either case. My Department, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority, both abide by the terms of Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement, but these do not prevent the Safety Authority from publishing its own reports, such as the eight Annual Reports published to date, the 1989 Report into non-segregation of tourist shuttle passengers from their vehicles, and the 1997 Report into the fire on HGV Shuttle 7539.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the extent to which clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Treaty enables adequate information relating to safety in the Channel Tunnel to be published. [25958]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonI am satisfied that the requirements of Clause 33.3 of the Channel Tunnel Concession Agreement enable adequate information to be published. Eurotunnel is free to publish the safety information which it produces, and the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority publishes an annual report on its activities, covering all aspects of Channel Tunnel safety. Copies of this report are placed in the Library.