respond to the widespread concerns that have been expressed about their decision to reduce services to Paris from Ashford International and to discontinue altogether the service from Ashford International to Brussels.
Eurostar say that most people who want to go to Brussels will prefer to use the new station at Ebbsfleet. We say that they should put that theory to the test by continuing the service from Ashford at least for a time. A permanent decision could then be made based on fact rather than theory.
The Minister repeated what he had said before which was that the decision was one for Eurostar to make but he undertook to express his own concerns to Eurostar. The campaign continues.
Later in the week I attended an event held by the Fire Services Benevolent Fund on the subject of mandatory fire sprinklers in new and refurbished schools. This was of course the subject of the adjournment debate which I recently introduced in the House of Commons. The Government is taking action to increase the installation of sprinklers but is not prepared to make it mandatory. So again there is more work to do.
Saturday was Lydd Club Day – an event which started in 1868 and, apart from the war years, has continued to be held every year since. I have attended every one since 1982. It is an outstanding example of the way in which we should keep our old traditions going. Long may it continue.
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