§ 86. Mr. COUPERasked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the continued unemployment, the Government are prepared to reconsider the question of the development of a waterway between the East and West of Scotland, from the Forth to the Clyde, which, in addition to providing employment, would develop the industries on the route and form a permanent national asset?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThis matter has been carefully considered by previous Governments, and I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by reconsidering it further at the present time. Such information as is available indicates that the receipts from such a canal would not be likely to be sufficient to justify the very heavy cost of its construction.
§ Mr. STEPHENDo I understand that the Government absolutely refuses to have anything to do with this scheme— this Tory Government?
§ Colonel ASHLEYI do not refuse to have anything to do with the scheme, but I like, when a scheme of the kind is put forward, that we shall have a reasonable return for the money expended.
§ Mr. STEPHENWill the Minister say if there is any possibility of the Tory Government going on with the scheme, inasmuch as practically all the Tory candidates in Scotland put it forward at the last General Election as a solution of unemployment?