§ 32. Major NATHANasked the Lord Privy Seal the position of the scheme for the lower Thames Tunnel?
§ Mr. HERBERT MORRISONI have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 21st January to a question by the Member for the Dartford Division (Mr. Mills), of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIs it a fact that objection has been raised to this tunnel, because it is not deep enough and that objection has been raised by one of the Chambers of Commerce?
§ Mr. MORRISONObjection has been raised by the Port of London Authority and their objection is under consideration. It should not be assumed that the justification for the objection is established, but the objection is being considered by my Department.
§ Colonel ASHLEYCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether a public inquiry will be held?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe position is that the Bill has been put down for Second Reading in this House but has been objected to. If and when the Bill receives a Second Reading, there will be public proceedings on the Committee stage.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the Minister tell us whether there are any practical objections which will prevent the Bill being brought forward?
§ Mr. MORRISONThe Bill is before the House. It is intimately connected, not only with transport, but also with unemployment, and is an exceedingly important Bill. I am very anxious that we shall get the Second Heading early, and then these points of difficulty can be dealt with on the Committee stage.