§ Mr. KempTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans the Government have for a direct Channel Tunnel rail link with the north east of England. [90257]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonMy right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister announced on 28 January 1999,Official Report, columns 340–41, the commissioning of a thorough and independent review of regional Channel Tunnel services. On 17 June the consultancy firm Arthur D. Little were appointed to undertake this review, and it is underway. The review will be thorough and wide ranging in its consideration of alternative options. It will, in particular, seek to assess the regional economic and social benefits of regional Eurostar services, and will examine the proposals put forward by the Virgin Group and the report produced last year by Inter-Capital and Regional Rail Ltd. The final report is due to be submitted at the end of October, and we expect to make a statement to the House before the end of the year.