HL Deb 20 April 2004 vol 660 cc25-6WA
Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following their decision not to support the proposal for a Bill for a dedicated freight line that would link the Channel Tunnel with the north-west of England, whether they welcome proposals from private sector groups to develop rail infrastructure projects; and how such groups can best obtain permission to develop these projects. [HL2392]

Lord Davies of Oldham

Such proposals are welcome but would be treated on their merits. The normal mechanism for private sector promoters to secure the necessary statutory powers to take forward rail projects would be to apply for an order under Part I of the Transport and Works Act 1992.

Lord Berkeley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Following their decision not to support the proposal for a Bill for a dedicated freight line that would link the Channel Tunnel with the north west of England, whether the use of hybrid Bill, private Bill or Transport and Works Act procedures would mean that they would be requested to intervene with taxpayers' money. [HL2393]

Lord Davies of Oldham

No, but promotion of a hybrid Bill inevitably more closely associates government with a project than is the case with applications under the Transport and Works Act procedures, which replaced private Bills as the normal mechanism for authorising the construction and operation of railways.

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