REGIONAL EUROSTAR SERVICES

Early day motion 541, tabled 14 April 1999 by Louise Ellman (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 59 members.

That this House welcomes the decision by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to hold an independent review into the feasibility of regional Eurostar services; notes the conclusion of the Environment Transport and Regional Affairs Transport Sub-Committee's Fifth Report of session 1998-99 into regional Eurostar services that the acquiescence of Members of Parliament to the Channel Tunnel Act 1987 depended on the provision of regional services, and that above all, the Government's review should be conducted against the background of the promise of regional Eurostar services implicit in Section 40 of the Channel Tunnel Act 1987, and the investment of ú320 million, by taxpayers across the country, already made towards providing such services; welcomes Eurostar on perceived regional disparities, and the consideration of the wider social and economic benefits; recognises the impact of introducing regional Eurostar services on tourism, employment and economic regeneration and inward investment in the regions; and urges the Government to complete the review in time for any train operator to be able to run regional Eurostar services from Spring 2000.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Labour/Co-operative 5, Liberal Democrat 2.