§ 62. Mr. KIRBYasked the Minister of Transport whether he can now give financial assistance to the corporation of Liverpool in the matter of the construction of the proposed Everton tunnel?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. Logan) on 12th December, of which I am sending him a copy.
§ 74. Mr. KIRBYasked the Minister of Transport whether the Government, during the past 12 months, ever approved of the Everton tunnel scheme for grant on a scale sufficient to cover the full cost of the proposed tunnels, etc.?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe position is as stated in the answer given on 12th December to the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. Logan) of which I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy.
§ Mr. KIRBYIn view of the reply, may I ask the Minister whether he is aware that in Liverpool on 5th November a public statement was made to the effect that he had approved this scheme, and that a grant to the tune of 100 per cent. would be made by the Department? Would the right hon. Gentleman like me to give him quotations from the press in regard to it?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe statement to which the hon. Member refers is not a statement made by me or any other person authorised to do so.
§ Mr. BROCKLEBANKIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that statement has been denied in the Liverpool press?
§ Mr. LOGANIn view of the press correspondence, may I take it from the Minister that as far as his Department is concerned there has never been any promise to give a grant for the tunnel?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe position is exactly as stated in the answer to which I refer on 12th December—exactly that.