§ 37. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how long he estimates it will take to bore the Clyde Tunnel using one shield and two shields, respectively.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI should prefer to have further details of the scheme from the promoters before attempting an estimate.
§ Mr. RankinSurely the Minister's technical advisers have some guidance to offer him on the respective merits of using one shield or two? If they have given no advice on the matter, how could the Secretary of State for Scotland inform the House yesterday afternoon that the tunnel would be started "very shortly."
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well—and he will certainly be reminded every weekend that he goes to his constituency—that the Government have given very high priority to this matter. It is now for the great local authority concerned to send me the details and the itemised estimates for which I have asked.