§ 43. Sir W. EDGEasked the Minister of Labour the latest returns of the state of trade in the boot and shoe industry and the unemployment figures for the trade as compared with a year ago?
§ Mr. BETTERTONThe latest returns show that at some centres of the boot and shoe industry there has recently been an improvement in employment although the position is not so good as it was a year ago. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving the unemployment figures desired.
§ Following is the statement:
§ auspices of the Committee of Civil Re-search, an impartial inquiry into the economic aspects of the proposed tunnel and other projects for cross-channel communication. I understand that this course is acceptable to the right hon. Gentleman opposite. Consideration of the political and military aspects of the problem will be postponed until the report on the economic aspects has been received from the Committee of Civil Re-search.
§ The members of the Committee will be:
- Mr. E. R. Peacock (Chairman).
- Lord Ebbisham.
- Sir Clement Hindley
- Sir Frederick Lewis
- Sir Henry Strakosch
Mr. MacDONALDAre we going to get this report from the Committee of Civil Research or from this special committee?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should propose in a case of importance like this to publish the report direct.
§ Commander BELLAIRSIn view of the fact that this inquiry was asked for by the advocates of the Channel Tunnel, will the Prime Minister point out to candidates for Parliament the desirability of not pledging themselves in advance of the report?
§ Mr. THURTLEIn view of the fact that the objection which has hitherto held up the Tunnel project has been the military objection, why has not that been got out of the way first of all, rather than the reverse?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member, if he reflects for a moment, will remember that the economic aspects of the tunnel have never been examined at all, at least not for years and years. I have set up a committee of extraordinary strength for this purpose, with the object of examining the subject in all its aspects. Supposing they decide that economically, the tunnel is really impossible, the whole question falls to the ground. If, on the other hand, they decide that the economic advantages are considerable, then the question for the Government in power at the time will be to decide whether the economic advantages are such as will outweigh any such military disadvantages as may be put—I do not say they will be put—or not.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether any parallel committee of a similar nature is being set up in France?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNot that I am aware of; but my hon. Friend must not take that from me as a definite answer.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINBut the right hon. Gentleman will agree that such a committee would be useful and helpful?
§ Mr. MACLEANWhy is it that a committee of this kind can be set up so soon to deal with the question of the Channel Tunnel, while, on the question of the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland no action has been taken?