HC Deb 08 March 1961 vol 636 cc463-4
46. Mr. Deedes

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has approved the list of shipyards to which the Cunard Steamship Company are about to send invitations to tender for the new Cunarder.

Mr. Marples

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Deedes

Does my right hon. Friend think it proper to go ahead with these invitations before the necessary legisla- tion has even been introduced in the House?

Mr. Marples

I think the general feeling is that we ought to get ahead with this as fast as possible and to take all preliminary steps we can. If the House refuses to give the legal authority, then we cannot go ahead with it. I thought that the House as a whole would think it dilatory on my part if I did not proceed with the preliminaries before I came to the House with the legislation.

Sir J. Vaughan-Morgan

Is my right hon. Friend assuming that when the Bill is brought before the House it will necessarily have the unqualified approval of hon. Members on the benches behind him?

Mr. Marples

On that I would never dare venture an opinion.