§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link guarantee, what risk assessment the Government applied to the project; and what were their conclusions. [48691]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 3 July 1998]: The Government commissioned external consultants' assessments of the commercial and construction risks. The assessments concluded that, under the deal announced on 3 June 1998, the various private sector parties are taking a substantial level of risk. My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister set out the conclusions regarding Government support of the project in his statement to the House of 3 June 1998, Official Report, columns 367–70.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 29 June 1998,Official Report, column 28, on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, if he will place a copy of (a) the assessment and (b) the review of that assessment prepared by external consultants, in the Library. [48690]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 3 July 1998]: No. The model of London and Continental Railways' future finances, which was reviewed by external consultants, is commercially confidential.