§ MR. MONKasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether any further delay is desirable before the Channel Tunnel Bills are submitted to the consideration of the House for their Second Beading; and, if so, whether he can state when the Government will be prepared to express an opinion upon them?
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINSir, my right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this Question. It has already been stated by Earl Granville in the House of Lords that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government, so far as lies in their power, that the Channel Tunnel Bills shall not be proceeded with at all until the Government are in a position to express an opinion on the subject. I have been informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War that the Committee which was appointed to consider whether the Tunnel could be made useless to any enemy in time of war have reported, and that their Report has been referred to the military authorities for a strategical opinion on the whole question, which he hopes to receive in the course of a few days. As soon as this opinion is in our hands we shall further consider the subject, and hope shortly to be in a position to offer advice to the House.