§ Q1. Mr. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government have yet decided to allow the construction of a Channel Tunnel; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)I have nothing to add to Answers to Questions given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. Fletcher-CookeIs the Prime Minister aware that the right hon. Lady said that work could not possibly begin until 1969 and would be complete in 1974 at the earliest? Will he take the opportunity of the visit of the French Prime Minister to see if together they could not expedite this work and get this tunnel working at least four years earlier?
§ The Prime MinisterI hope that this is one of the questions that I shall be able to discuss with M. Pompidou next week. I am glad to be able to tell the House that, as far as one can see, the results of the geological survey are more encouraging perhaps than anyone could have hoped and that the latest estimates of the economic possibilities seem to be more encouraging than the last time such estimates were made.
§ Mr. RankinCan my right hon. Friend say whether this is the first step in getting into the Common Market?
§ The Prime MinisterThis will be considered on its own merits whatever the position about conditions under which Britain could join the E.E.C.