§ 43. Viscount CURZONasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the prevailing conditions of unemployment, His Majesty's Government are prepared to favourably consider and afford assistance under the Trade Facilities Act and unemployment schemes generally to the construction of the Channel tunnel?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. Graham)I have been asked to reply. Other issues besides unemployment are raised by the Channel tunnel project, and would have to be disposed of before the application to it of schemes for relieving unemployment could be considered.
§ Viscount CURZONAre the Government prepared to give favourable consideration to schemes put before them in connection with this matter?
§ Mr. GRAHAMAs the Noble Lord knows, there are political and other difficulties connected with the Channel tunnel project. If those were removed, this is a scheme which undoubtedly would be submitted to the Advisory Committee on the Trade Facilities Act; but, of course, 1301 it would be entirely for the Advisory Committee to say whether it was to be assisted or not.