HL Deb 30 January 1964 vol 254 cc1246-7

3.9 p.m.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect,

  1. (a) to be ready for a further exchange of views with the French Government,
  2. (b) to make a joint announcement of policy,
in regard to the Report Proposals for a Fixed Channel Link [Cmnd. 2137] which was presented to Parliament in September last.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

My Lords, I regret that there is little I can add to the Answer my noble friend Lord Ferrers gave on Thursday last. The reply to both parts of my noble friend's question must therefore be, "Soon".

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, my noble friend will recall that one of the words used by his noble friend last Thurs- day was, not "soon" but "hope". Would he bear in mind that he who lives in hope has but a slender diet? Also, could my noble friend's right honourable friend not work to a more definite timetable, and therefore be more specific in his reply than my noble friend when he is considering the various aspects of this matter?

LORD CHESHAM

My noble friend must by now be aware that there are so many implications of national importance in this matter that I do not think they can be put down to be worked upon under a timetable.