42. Mr. Lindsayasked the Minister of Transport when he expects to be in a position to make a further statement about the proposed Channel Tunnel or Bridge.
§ 47. Mr. Teelingasked the Minister of Transport whether he will give details of the machinery which has been set up for the examination of the Channel Tunnel project and whether he will give an assurance that basic principles will be dealt with in the first place, so that an early decision thereon can be given.
§ Mr. MarplesAs I explained on 22nd November, a joint official study of both the proposals now before the British and French Governments is being undertaken. All relevant aspects of those proposals will need to be examined and I cannot say when this work will be completed. I am confident, however, that, under the arrangements which have been agreed, early attention will be given to the basic questions on which the Governments' eventual decision must depend.
Mr. LindsayWill my right hon. Friend hear in mind the great importance of getting an early decision in view 1354 of the material difference a bridge or tunnel will make to our competitive power when we get into the Common Market?
§ Mr. MarplesYes, Sir. But the proposal for a Channel bridge was received only in October, 1961, so there is a great deal of work to be done on it.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that many of us, and large numbers of people outside, believe that large-scale capital expenditure of this kind should not be undertaken until the urgent needs of our own people have been dealt with?
§ Mr. MarplesWe propose to study the problem. It raises technical, financial and economic questions, as well as international considerations. The hon. Gentleman's point will certainly be borne in mind.
§ Mr. CostainDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that development at Folkestone is being held up pending decision on a tunnel?
§ Mr. MarplesThat is why we will try to get on as quickly as we can, but we must examine the problem thoroughly.
§ Dr. KingWill the Minister arrange for an exhibition in the House of Commons in the New Year of the excellent models prepared by the B.T.C. for a two-way tunnel on the principle of a moving stream of traffic?
§ Mr. MarplesI should like to consider that, but it would be very difficult if as Minister I had an exhibition of a tunnel and not of a bridge. Otherwise I should be in great difficulty and I know that the hon. Member would not like that.