HC Deb 04 March 1930 vol 236 cc235-6
19. Mr. LOUIS SMITH

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can now state the terms of the Channel Tunnel Committee Report?

23. Commander BELLAIRS

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it has been decided, if the Report of the Channel Tunnel Committee is favourable as to the economic aspects, to have the strategical aspects investigated; and whether the same committee or a differently constituted one will be used for this purpose?

26. Mr. FREEMAN

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make any statement as to the position of the Channel Tunnel proposals; and whether he has considered the erection of a bridge, which would provide for road as well as railway traffic, as an alternative proposal?

Mr. THOMAS

Formal notice of presentation to Parliament of the Report of the Channel Tunnel Committee was given yesterday, and copies will be circulated as soon as possible. The Government propose to give immediate consideration to the Report in all its aspects.

Commander BELLAIRS

The right hon. Gentleman does not answer the second part of my question, whether the same committee or a differently constituted committee will examine the strategical aspects, as promised by the then Prime Minister?

Mr. THOMAS

There is at the moment only one copy of the Report in existence. It is now being printed, and will be cir- culated. Whatever that Report says will be published to Members, and, in the interval, the Government will consider the Report. It would be unwise for me to anticipate the decision of the Government when they have not considered any aspect of the Report.

Colonel ASHLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if the alternative of a train ferry was considered?

Mr. THOMAS

I think that it would be better for the Report to be in Members' hands, so that they can consider it themselves.

Mr. THURTLE

Can the Lord Privy Seal say how long it is likely to be before the Government will come to a decision on this matter?

Mr. THOMAS

I can hardly say that when, as I have already informed the House, the Report is not yet printed. It has to be printed before the Government as a whole see it. All that I can assure my hon. Friend is that, in view of the urgency of the matter, the Government will not delay.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, roughly, whether the committee recommend the building of this tunnel or not?

Mr. THOMAS

No, I cannot even say roughly.

Mr. SKELTON

Has not the right hon. Gentleman even read the Report?

Mr. FREEMAN

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question, whether the erection of a bridge has been considered?

Mr. THOMAS

As I say, many alternatives have been considered, and I think that it would be better for the Report to be printed.

Mr. FREEMAN

May I ask also whether the French authorities have been consulted?