REGIONAL LINKS TO CHANNEL TUNNEL

Early day motion 1439, tabled 16 June 1998 by Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 90 members.

That this House applauds the statement made by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions on 3rd June that the Channel Tunnel Rail Link will at last go ahead; notes the undertakings given to the regions at the time of the passage of the Channel Tunnel Bill; hopes that in line with its policy of actively promoting the development of England's regions and of Scotland, the Government will recognise the importance of the immediate introduction of regional Eurostar services north of London in promoting tourism, employment, economic regeneration and inward investment in the Midlands, the North West, Yorkshire and Humberside and the North East and in Scotland; welcomes the proposals by the Virgin Group to run regional Eurostar services without public subsidy and with no risk to the tax payer; and calls on the Government and London and Continental Railways to give full and speedy consideration to them.

Signatures by party: Labour 75, Labour/Co-operative 8, Liberal Democrat 5, Conservative 2.