To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to the answer of 8 June 2009, Official Report, column 704W, on the Channel Tunnel railway line: fares, if he will request the Intergovernmental Commission to raise with Eurotunnel the level of track access charges through the Channel Tunnel, with particular reference to the implementation of his policy of encouraging (a) high speed passenger rail traffic and (b) international rail freight. (282586)

Under Article 12(1) of the Treaty of Canterbury of 1986, Eurotunnel are free, within the framework of national and Community law, to determine their commercial policy and tariffs.

It would be improper for the Intergovernmental Commission to consider any representation from the Department for Transport on this matter.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport pursuant to his answer of 18 June 2009, Official Report, column 427W, on the Channel Tunnel railway line, for what reason no recent assessment of the effect of track access charges on the potential growth of international freight through the Channel Tunnel has been made. (282587)

Any assessment of the effect of track access charges on the potential growth of international freight through the Channel Tunnel is a matter for Eurotunnel and the rail freight operators.