HC Deb 17 January 1968 vol 756 c1781
27. Mr. R. C. Mitchell

asked the Minister of Transport what authority she has given for further investment by the Railways Board in cross-Channel ships.

Mr. John Morris

My right hon. Friend has recently authorised the Board to spend £2,200,000 on the construction of a new multi-purpose vessel for the Dover-Dunkirk service.

Mr. Mitchell

While very much welcoming that reply, may I ask whether the Minister will impress upon the new Chairman of British Railways the urgent need to strengthen that section of British Railways management dealing with shipping services so that we can avoid a recurrence of what happened a few years ago when British Railways closed down the cross-Channel services from Southampton and an independent Norwegian firm stepped in and made a magnificent profit?

Mr. Morris

Of course, as my hon. Friend knows, this was a decision taken before our time.

Mr. Clark Hutchison

Will the Minister save money by axing the absurd project of a Channel Tunnel?

Mr. Morris

That hardly arises from this Question.

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