§ Mr. MILLSasked the Lord Privy Seal when the suggested Purfleet-Dartford tunnel was recommended for construction; how much preliminary examination had taken place preceding 1st June, and how many county or local authorities had been approached to co-operate in the essential engineering inquiry preceding such construction; and the amount expended prior to 1st June, 1929?
Mr. H. MORRISONI have been asked to reply. As a result of representations received from several local authorities a report was obtained from consulting engineers by my Department in 1924 as to the feasibility of a tunnel under the Thames at Tilbury. After careful investigation the engineers reported that the most suitable line for a tunnel would be one from Dartford to Purfleet. In 1927 the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee made a favourable recommendation regarding the suggested line for the tunnel, and steps were taken to secure certain lands that would be required for approaches. In July last, I approached the County Councils of Essex and Kent in order to solicit their collaboration in a review of the consulting engineers' report, the preparation of a Bill for the construction of a tunnel and the allocation of the cost52W thereof. Substantial agreement has been reached with the Councils upon most of these points and a Bill is being promoted during the present Session Up to 1st June last, the amount expended was approximately £8,000.