§ Mr. H. M'LARENasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing importance of national economy, he will give a lead to the special effort that is being made by the War Savings Committee by directing the Postmaster-General to discontinue forthwith the expenditure that is being incurred in connection with the Post Office Railway, a scheme which is of no value for war purposes and could not, in any event, be completed for many years?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe question as to whether the expenditure upon the Post Office London Railway should be continued during the War has been carefully considered by the Government, and whilst the work on the tunnel construction has been slowed down owing to the shortage of labour, etc., on financial grounds it has been thought better to allow the work to proceed for the following reasons: (1) There would be a serious risk to the work already done in the event of its suspension; (2) the suspension of the contract would render the Government liable to claims for damages by the contractor and the several sub-contractors for breach of contract; (3) the work, if deferred, could only be completed at prices considerably above those in the present contract. The construction of the tunnel is nearly completed.