Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to allow sleeper carriages to travel through the Channel Tunnel.

The binational Intergovernmental Commission (IGC) is responsible for the safety rules and approvals of all vehicles within the Channel Tunnel Fixed Link, including compliance with specific safety regulations to address the risks associated with operating through the Channel Tunnel. These safety regulations do not specifically relate to sleeper services but nor would they prevent any rail sleeper service beginning international operations. The Department stands ready to engage with any operators of potential new international rail services, such as sleeper services, where they have a proposition they wish to explore.