§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on the restriction applied to gas-powered motor vehicles being transported on the Channel Tunnel Shuttle Service; and if he will make a statement. [78342]
§ Dr. ReidThere have been two recent questions on this subject from the hon. Member for Daventry (Mr. Boswell) on 16 November 1998,Official Report, column 341, and the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope) on 26 January 1999, Official Report, columns 154–55. There has also been one recent letter to my Department from a member of the public. In addition, the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority has dealt with one recent inquiry.
Eurotunnel will need to obtain safety approval from the bi-national Intergovernmental Commission (acting on the advice of the Channel Tunnel Safety Authority) before they can convey gas—and dual-fuelled vehicles. Subject to this safety approval being granted, the Government would welcome the opening of Shuttle services to these vehicles.