Michael Fabricant is calling on the Government today to step up its
negotiations with the French to reopen the Channel Tunnel for freight which
has been closed by asylum seekers attempting to enter the United Kingdom.
He says "Six million pounds has already been lost by our rail freight
company EWS since the Channel Tunnel was closed to freight and EWS estimate
that thousands of jobs will be lost as a consequence, many in the midlands.
Although the British Government have been in negotiation with the French to
increase policing of the French side of the Channel Tunnel, there are still
just 15 gendarmes and 5 security staff in the area. Our requests have been
ignored.

"Meanwhile over 1700 EWS freight services have been cancelled and many
midlands firms will have found it difficult to ship their goods to the
continent as a consequence. If nothing is done, jobs in my constituency
and elsewhere in the midlands will be lost. I will raise this with
Ministers in Parliament as a matter of urgency today.

"Tony Blair always claims he is at the heart of Europe influencing events.
It’s time he influences events in Calais", Michael Fabricant adds.