§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEasked the Prime Minister if he intends to proceed with the Coast Defence Bill or if he intends to withdraw it and cause it to be re-introduced in a form in accordance with the many Amendments put forward on the Committee stage at the instance of several local bodies and other associations?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI can add nothing to what I have already said in reply to questions on this subject.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEMay I ask the Prime Minister to get in touch with the local authorities, who are perfectly willing to help him get on with the Bill provided their objections are met, and may I stress the need of the unemployed, who will benefit considerably by a suitable Bill being introduced?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have done my best, seeing the interest taken in this Bill by several Members of the House, to master the problems presented by the Amendments, and to me, unfortunately, it is rather evident on the face of it that the Amendments are not all from local authorities genuinely wanting the Bill; but, if anything can be done in order to reduce the opposition to the Bill to a reasonable compass, I shall be only too glad to see what facilities are possible for the Bill.
§ Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think it is for him to suggest the best means of having a conference or other measures with the local authorities, and that it is not for us private Members to suggest to him the best means?
§ The PRIME MINISTERMy point is this, that, if a conference with friendly local authorities would really remove the difficulties, that conference would be arranged, but that would not, I think, remove the difficulties.