§ 41. Mr. Fletcherasked the Minister of Transport if he is now able to announce his approval of the project recommended by the London Travel Committee for the construction of a new tube railway from Victoria through North-East London.
§ Mr. MarplesI am unable at present to add to the reply on this I gave to the hon. Member on 27th January.
§ Mr. FletcherIn the meantime, would the Minister be good enough to confirm whether it is true, as reported in today's Press, that preliminary work at a cost of £400,000 is already in progress in connection with trial borings for a mile of this proposed tube from Tottenham to Finsbury Park?
§ Mr. MarplesThis is an experimental section—I say that without commitment, because I am not sure about the contract which was given by the London Transport Executive—but for many years experiments have been carried out, including construction of shields, which are necessary for a tunnel of this sort.
§ Mr. BennWe are waiting for the right hon. Gentleman to make a statement of policy. This is not a new idea. It has been urged many times in the past. Can he say when he intends to give us his decision?
§ Mr. MarplesThe report was published on 21st December and today is 3rd February. I ask the hon. Member to be patient a little longer.