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Lord Adonis: Potential open-access operators that wish to utilise High Speed 1 will negotiate access rights with the holder of the concession to operate the

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railway. Before 1 October 2009, any such negotiations would be supervised by the Department for Transport; from that date, they would be supervised by the Office of Rail Regulation. The High Speed 1 concession will incentivise the concessionaire to encourage new operators to offer international services through the Channel Tunnel.

Railways: Eurostar

Question

Asked by Lord Rosser

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the relative value for money obtainable by the Government for different options for disposing of Eurostar United Kingdom, including (a) sale in its existing form; and (b) reorganisation without a new shareholder. [HL4075]

The Secretary of State for Transport (Lord Adonis): The Government are not engaged in a sale of Eurostar UK Ltd. The Government continue to examine ways to best further the development of Eurostar in conjunction with our international partners. Our objectives in doing so are to develop services and the offering to passengers and to secure the best long-term value of the UK’s share in Eurostar in the interests of the taxpayer. The value of any options in relation to the future of Eurostar will be benchmarked against the projected opportunities, risks and commercial prospects of maintaining the Government’s interest in Eurostar UK Ltd in its present form.

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UN: Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Questions

Asked by Lord Laird

To ask Her Majesty's Government what number and percentage of the submissions to the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at its 42nd session in Geneva from 4 to 22 May were related to Northern Ireland. [HL3988]

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: This information is detailed on the committee's website at www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies.cescr.cescrs42.htm.

Asked by Lord Laird

To ask Her Majesty's Government why no Northern Ireland Office representatives were present in Geneva in May when the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights considered the combined fourth to fifth periodic report of the United Kingdom on the implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. [HL3989]

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The Ministry of Justice led a delegation of officials from several government departments and devolved Administrations. Most of the issues raised in relation to Northern Ireland in the combined fourth and fifth periodic report fell within the remit of the Northern Ireland Executive. Given the limited role for the Northern Ireland Office in relation to this examination, it was not considered to be an effective use of public money to send Northern Ireland Office officials to the examination.

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