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Channel Tunnel Rail Link (Supplementary Provisions) Bill

The points made by the noble Lord, Lord Berkeley, are very pertinent. In the end, people and freight will use a system which is at market price. If it goes above market price, there will be a lot less traffic than would be the case if it were at market price. I would like the Minster to be fairly explicit in his response as to whether it is the Government’s intention to use this railway line and set prices which are reasonably attractive to both freight operators and passengers, or to set the prices high and squeeze whatever they can out of the people who can pay and, as it were, devil take the hindmost. It is important that this national asset is used for public benefit.