News Release

19th March 2002

FABRICANT QUESTIONS BLAIR ON THREAT TO WEST MIDLAND JOBS

Michael Fabricant questioned the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, yesterday on the Channel Tunnel blockade and the threat to West Midland jobs. Tony Blair was in the House of Commons making a statement following the Barcelona European Union Summit. Michael told the Prime Minister that thousands of jobs are under threat in the West Midlands as France continues to do nothing about the closure of the Channel Tunnel to British exports. He asked whether this had been discussed with the President of France. The text of Michael's question and the Prime Minister's answer follows (taken from Hansard).

Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): Is the Prime Minister aware of the logjam in the West Midlands region because manufacturers are unable to export to the EU through the channel tunnel? He will be aware that despite all the negotiations between the British Government and the French, there are still only 15 gendarmes and five security men guarding the Calais port. What steps have the Government taken while formulating the Barcelona treaty to ensure the permanent reopening of the channel tunnel for freight? May I remind the Prime Minister, when he says that Britain is in there shaping Europe's future, that the west midlands happens to be in Europe too?

The Prime Minister: This is a serious issue and of course we raised it with France at the summit. It is important that, over the next few days and weeks, the French authorities take proper measures to ensure that the exit route is secure. There is no doubt that the responsibility primarily rests with them. That point has been made repeatedly and will be made again.

But Michael Fabricant says "But for all the talking with the French, the Prime Minister claimed months ago that they would listen to him and reinforce Calais Port to stop asylum seekers breaking through. He also claimed that Staffordshire beef farmers would once again be able to export British beef to France. But the French still maintain their ban on all British beef imports. I fear that Tony Blair is weak in standing up for our interests in Europe and tries to compensate in military adventures abroad".