§ 2.35 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have been able to give preliminary consideration to the comprehensive report of the Channel Tunnel Study Group, which, after full examination of all the practical issues involved, concludes that a Channel tunnel is technically feasible, could be financed by private capital and would provide cheap and efficient road and rail traffic facilities between this country and Western Europe; and whether, in view of the vital importance of developing such facilities for political, economic and cultural reasons, they will now undertake, in consultation with the Government of France, a scheme under which permission can be given to a suitable private undertaking to start the construction of this tunnel at an early date.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government are making a close study of the Report of the Channel Tunnel Study Group. The noble Lord has mentioned a number of the important considerations involved. There are others, however, including proposals for certain governmental guarantees. The Government have all these matters in mind and will reach a conclusion as soon as possible.
§ LORD MERRIVALEMy Lords, is it not a fact that the Study Group have approached the French Cabinet on this matter and that the French Government are waiting to hear from the British Government? I would ask my noble 198 friend to ask the Minister whether approaches could be made to the French Government, because possibly both sides are waiting for the other side to make the first move.
§ LORD CHESHAMOf course, my Lords, I do not answer for the French Government in your Lordships House, and I do not think I can add anything to what I have said until the close study I mentioned has been completed and Her Majesty's Government have made up their minds. Obviously, until they do so, they will not approach anybody. But that study, as I said, is going on now.
LORD REAMy Lords, may we take it that the attitude of Her Majesty's Government is at least not unfavourable to the Report as presented?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I do not think that I can add anything to what I have said: that it is under close study.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, I hope the Government are not going into a large expenditure to try to retrieve a lost cause?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I do not quite know what the noble Viscount means, but I am sure that I can go as far as to say that Her Majesty's Government would not be in favour of a large expenditure of money in retrieving a lost cause.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHMy Lords, it has been on the stocks for 70 years.
§ LORD CONESFORDMy Lords, will Her Majesty's Government bear in mind that there is a great volume of opinion in this country that is opposed to the scheme?
§ LORD CHESHAMMy Lords, I am sure that the Government will bear all relevant factors in mind.