§ 68. Sir A. FELLasked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to give the decision of the Government on the question of the Channel Tunnel; and, supposing there may be still some points to be settled, can he give an assurance that subject to these points being cleared up the Government will be prepared to give facilities for the Bill next Session?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERI regret that it will not be possible to announce the Government's decision before the Recess. It is, as I am sure my hon. Friend recognises, a matter of first rate importance, and requires careful and detailed examination by the expert advisers of the Government. We have only just received a report on the subject from the experts, and have had no time to consider it.
§ Mr. LAMBERTAre the Government opposed to this Channel Tunnel, or have not they made up their minds as to its desirability?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERIt surely depends on expert advice as to its military and naval effects. We could not act on our own responsibility, without being assured that the security of the country would not be imperilled in the least by the construction of the tunnel, and it has to be considered very carefully. I cannot conceive of any question which ought to be examined more closely.
§ Mr. LAMBERTIs it not a fact that all the experts differ on this point?
§ Sir A. FELLAre they also considering the immense value this tunnel would be to the country in the event of any further or future war?
§ THE PRIME MINISTERUndoubtedly that is the strongest element in favour of the proposal; but, on the other hand, there are elements of undoubted jeopardy which we must consider very carefully.